Winner - La Cité
Toulouse, France
Architect Agency: Taillander Architectes Associés
Metal Builder: Labastere 31
Product Solutions used: GEODE façade, SUNEAL brise-soleil and SOLEAL doors and windows
Photographer: Philippe Rol
“It has been decided to award the prize to this project because the structure of the existing building, is still quite visible, although giving it a new contemporary look. Even while retaining a reference to the building's previous use." Jury comments
The 14,000 m² "La Cité" project is the result of the conversion of the former Latécoère warehouse into a place dedicated to collaborative and sustainable innovation. Built between 1917 and 1918, these warehouses bear witness of the aeronautic beginnings in Toulouse. They housed the first war planes, then commercial and airmail planes, before being used as warehouses. Despite their destruction in 1944 and successive rehabilitations, the site retains several remarkable structures, including the three industrial halls listed as historic monuments. The building is also listed as part of the intangible heritage of the industrial history of aeronautics in Toulouse.
"La Cité", designed by the Taillandier Architectes Associés in collaboration with P. Caillault, architect of the “Monuments Historiques”, revives the original spirit of the place. Three contiguous naves, with a total length of 120 m and a span of 25 m, make up the market building. According to archive photos, the main façades were described as a triptych of arched openings in each of the naves.
The new envelope is designed in this spirit with a contemporary reinterpretation. It is adorned with 2,400 m² of GEODE aluminium curtain walls, combined with aluminium blades, including 2,000 m² of SUNEAL sun shading. At the rear, 1100 m² of SUNEAL sun shading were custom designed from two assembled profiles, one 30 cm and one 10 cm, forming a hollow to reveal arches. The side façade alternates posts and openings (doors and windows) SOLEAL. These TECHNAL frames are also clad with vertical SUNEAL sun shading. They provide direct lighting in the south-west facing offices while maintaining the full/empty rhythm.
Above the entrance, these sun shading blades are horizontal to create a marquee that highlights the access to “La Cité”. The curtain walls are installed over a height of 15 m, without intermediate support. Their profiles are 100 mm wide in order to take up the required wind load.
All TECHNAL profiles are made of natural aluminium, echoing the aeronautical industry. The central hall offers a large open space dedicated to events and a palm grove in homage to the pioneers of the airmail who served distant lands. The two side aisles have a curved reinforced concrete frame. Wooden volumes develop under these frames to accommodate co-working spaces, meeting rooms, a 200-seat amphitheatre, a restaurant, a Fablab and an aviary for drones.
Special Mention - Psychiatric Center
Navarra, Spain
Architect: Vaillo + Irigaray Architects
Metal Builder: Vifasa
Product Solutions used: GEODE façade
Photographer: Rubén Pérez Bescós
“It has been decided to award the special mention to this project because of the interesting use of the existing building and the contemporary interpretation of the extension. The treatment of the windows, the roof, the opening of the ceiling in the corridors, etc. are particularly remarkable." Jury comments
The proposal maintains and improves the original values, based on a 19th century building connected through a series of pavilions and patios that generate a good harmony between architecture, nature and patients. Thus, the main objective was to improve the original "hygienist spirit" and "therapeutic spirit"
that favour occupational therapy and daily activities as fundamental elements of treatment for the good care of patients. A hybrid between new and old buildings has thus been created, trying to make the most of existing values, as well as complementing the structure to accommodate new trends in medical care and channel and assimilate new technologies.
The project is a reflection on memory: the passage of time and the evolution of architecture. The proposal is a way of intervention on a 19th century building…. The traces of the past are engraved on the new buildings, as a reminder of ancient geometries… It is an unfinished architecture that the time will end up composing on the place ….
The base of the building is made of the GEODE curtain wall to provide a sense of disconnection and floating on the ground.
