we are not from kalamazoo: proposal for la reunion artist residence, dallas

la reunion tx project – artist residency by we are not from kalamazoo all images courtesy we are not from kalamazoo

french architectural couple delphine borg and billy guidoni are part of the studio we are not from kalamazoo. they have sent us images of their proposal for the la reunion tx project – an artist residency in dallas.

their facility had to be as low-impact and high performance as possible, providing a model to the community for sustainable living. the goal of the project was to propose four multi-media artists residences and studios, as well as exhibition and education spaces.

the new la reunion tx site is truly nature’s domain. densely wooded and quite uneven, it is also home to a pond and a stream within a hundred year floodplain. the only traces of human occupancy are two wooden buildings and an impressive concrete trestle – which nature has started to bite into. to minimize foundation, find an even ground, seek light throughnature and protect itself from a flood, the project uses the existing trestle to rise appropriately. made out of white-painted wood insimple structural assembly, consisting in terraces integrated in between basic volumes, the building recalls the architectural spirit of the colony houses that were used by the former la reunion community.

from the parking spaces along jefferson blvd, a path leads through the two existing buildings, which structures and roofs only are kept to house temporary public exhibitions. the path then meanders through the trestle, inspired by the trees’ gestures, offering a very sensitive physical confrontation between an ever-powerfull natural surrounding, a rough concrete structure, and a delicate architecture. inspired by pioneer houses and modernity as an heritage of american architecture, trestlehouse offers stimulating, peaceful and open contemporary spaces for a conversation between new and traditional media artists.

la reunion tx project – artist residency