ateliers o-s architectes: cultural center in nevers, france

located in the re-developing district of nevers, france, the new ‘cultural center’ sits between areas of new and renovated housing, giving it the position to define an identity and public space. designed by local firm ateliers o-s architectes, the new center is based on the ideas of density and generosity and will provide a multipurpose room with 220 seats, a dance hall, conference and meeting rooms and an educational childcare area, all of which aim to serve the community and its organizations.

‘cultural center in nevers’ by O-S- architectes, nevers, france
image © cecile septet
all images courtesy of atelier o-s architectes

ateliers o-s architectes introduces a central courtyard and terrace, open to the public and accessible either from the interior or from the wide exterior steps at the front of the building. this space also provides a makeshift outdoor stage in front of an entrance square. the concrete frame structure is clad in spaced slender wooden slats that add warmth on an otherwise cold hard surface material and create a distinctive language for the neighborhood. natural light is able to reach every function in the building, either through the open glass walls of the central open-air patio, or from the smaller square windows speckled onto the facade.

street-side entrance
image © cecile septet

elevation
image © cecile septet

illuminated interior at dusk
image © cecile septet

an exterior staircase serves as secondary seating
image © cecile septet

wood slats create playful shadows on the concrete substructure
image © cecile septet

central courtyard
image © cecile septet

main stairs
image © cecile septet

dance hall
image © cecile septet

auditorium
image © cecile septet

shelving system
image © cecile septet

site plan

floor plan / level 0

access diagrams

spatial diagrams

project info:

budget: 2,561,887 EUR
area: 1,613 m2
project team: vincent baur, guillaume colboc, gael le nouene, aurelie louesdon, kit chung
consultants: bethac (fluid), mdetc (economy), EVP (structure), ducks sceno (scenography), eckea (acoustics)
sas morini (big work – vrd), smac bourges (waterproofing), voisin charpente (wood siding), sas miroglace (exterior joining),
miroiterie de la loue (metallurgy), geneol (HVAC). bourgeot (electricity), otis (elevator), ntb (plasterboard, ceilings, paint),
sarl denis et fils (menuiseries intérieures), husson international (interior woodwork), artisans plus (floor covering)