healthcare center
The project involves creating a healthcare center in Marignac-Lasclares, a town in southern France. Its aim is to provide medical care services as well as public health initiatives, prevention, and health education.
The site, characterized by a significant slope, was already partially occupied in the north by a brick and metal-framed hangar. The building was therefore positioned on the southern part of the plot and designed to integrate with the natural topography. Its simple volumetry rises as a ground-floor structure resting on a base, overlooking the Saint-Martory canal and the Garonne plain, facing the Pyrénées mountain range.
The building’s North/South orientation was carefully planned to optimize solar gain while ensuring optimal thermal and visual comfort for users. Its sleek and functional form, consisting of a long volume covered by a dual-pitched roof, echoes the region’s traditional architecture.
The interior layout is defined by the rhythm of the structural framework. The reception, waiting areas, and shared staff facilities are located in the north. The medical offices, which shape the façade with a regular pattern, are positioned to the south, facing the canal. An interior patio completes the ensemble, providing natural light to the central spaces of the project.
The choice of materials reflects a desire for harmonious integration into the surrounding landscape while adhering to an ecological approach. The walls are timber-framed, while the façades are coated with lime plaster, providing a natural and aesthetic finish. Wood is also used for the structure, cladding, and joinery, further enhancing the project’s sustainable and local character. Inside, a rammed earth wall separates the medical offices from the rest of the health center. This feature contributes to the building’s thermal mass and natural temperature regulation. The floors in the common areas are made of polished concrete, maintaining the
desired natural materiality for the building’s interior atmosphere.
The zinc roof is laid on a traditional exposed wooden framework. It extends widely beyond the walls, improving rainwater management. Locally sourced stone gabions, which structure the parking area and clad the building’s base on the canal side, reinforce its integration into the landscape.
