PAYS DE NAY CULTURAL CENTRE
A transparent base, split in two by a gap revealing the hillside in the background and topped by an iconic structure visible from the city's two main squares.
While the media library and reception areas nestle into the ground level of the square, the cinemas and green roof overlook the city.
Between the two entities, the large staircase opens up the perspective between the city centre and the wider landscape. The volumetric differences reflect the desire to integrate the structures into the existing urban fabric while affirming the presence of the public facility opposite the Place du Marcadieu.
The town of Nay, a medieval bastide located in the foothills of the Pyrenees in Béarn, was chosen as the site for a mixed-use cultural center including a media library and a cinema. It complements the cultural offerings of the Pays de Nay Community of communes, which comprises 29 towns southeast of Pau.
The site, a former police station building slated for demolition at the end of the large Place du Marcadieu, has distinctive features that guided the design of the project. Located at the western end of the square, the site has a very steep slope from west to east. It is a place of transition between the predominantly mineral city and the Marnières plateau, which is predominantly vegetated and landscaped. The building occupies the entire short side of the redesigned main square and faces the historic city, several of whose buildings are listed as Historic Monuments.
Our project consists of a base, split in two by a gap revealing the hillside in the background, topped by an iconic structure visible from both squares in the city. While the media library and reception areas nestle into the ground at the level of the square, the cinemas and green terrace overlook the city. Between the two, the large staircase opens up the perspective on the city center and the wider landscape.
The volumetric differences reflect the desire to integrate the structures into the existing urban fabric while asserting the presence of the public facility opposite the Place du Marcadieu.
To the south, the media library follows the geometry of the rue des Marnières and the scale of the residential fabric.
To the north, the volume of the cinemas, set on the reception base, is much higher. It signals and identifies the facility from the street and the arcades of the plazza.
Careful observation of the interlocking roofs of the large historic buildings in Nay (the Maison Sainte-Thérèse, market hall, Saint-Vincent church, etc.) inspired the design of a panel system that reinterprets this complexity in a contemporary way using traditional local colors and materials (slate, stone, etc.).
The treatment of the forecourt is in keeping with the mineral layout of the Place du Marcadieu, at the same altitude. Partially covered, it brings together all the outdoor reception functions: public entrance, café terrace, access and delivery, drop-off point, document return, and bicycle shelter.
The public entrance is on the same level as the square, via the communal area that serves the media library and cinemas. It is designed to promote fluid relations and visibility between all entities. It includes the reception, ticket office, a café opened onto the forecourt, and a coworking space.
Like this space, the media library is open onto the city. Its large glass facades, facing east onto the square and south/southwest along the street, provide natural lighting and transparency between the interior and exterior. In the center, a large glass patio provides additional natural light.
Solar gain on the south facade is controlled by a plant filter consisting of climbing plants and metal mesh. A roof overhang on the south and east sides also provides protection from overhead sunlight.
The various hubs and sectors are organized within the media library's open and flexible space. Some sub-spaces can be made more private using acoustic curtains. The directional signage and furniture are designed to emphasize the fluidity of movement and the understanding of the spaces.
Freed from size constraints, the cinemas are located in a tall volume set on the base. This architectural feature signals the facility from the city center and supports the large sign.
The media library's roof terrace is entirely covered with vegetation. It facilitates rainwater regulation, increases the building's thermal performance, and contributes to the biodiversity of the site. The other roofs, as well as the facades, are made of slate, a material commonly used in the region. The atrium, which houses the monumental frosted glass staircase, acts as a lantern.
