Multimedia library

Biot Sophia Antipolis


Date
2010
Phase
Competition – not shortlisted
programme

Redesigning + extension of a ceramics manufacture into a multimedia library, tourist office, City Council’s meeting room

Maîtrise d'ouvrage
Communauté d'Agglomération Sophia Antipolis – (PACA) France
Maîtrise d'oeuvre

bachnguyenarchitecture Economiste KEUL BET Choulet BET EVP Ingénierie Signalétique Yan Stive

Budget
2,6 M €
SURFACE
900 m²


A multimedia library should offer free access to a wide public, clarity in space design, and facilitated access and flow.
The project comprises two independent constructions : the multimedia library and the city council’s conference room coupled with its tourist office. The multimedia library is embeded in the ‟Poterie” (Ceramics manufacture) and benefits from the historical landmarks inherent to the building. The city council and the tourist office are located in a building designed to be connected to the ‟Poterie”.
A small elevated landing is built to communicate with the pedestrian access leading to the historical city centre. It is lined with a row of olive trees, thus providing privacy to the existing dwellings overlooking the cul-de-sac.
A wide freestanding staircase leads to the first floor. The latter comprises a set of three reading spaces arranged around a central space. The historical kiln’s smoke chamber is transformed into a ‟Tower of books” on two levels. It is a playful and symbolical space.
Directly open onto the elevated landing, the access to the Tourist Office is lined by a flowing lectern which features the city’s geography and runs along the glazed facade which faces south onto the open landscape. A metal frame provides shelter to the entrance and accomadates signage visible from the Chemin Neuf.

Médiathèque municipale Biot Sophia Antipolis Médiathèque municipale Biot Sophia Antipolis Médiathèque municipale Biot Sophia Antipolis Médiathèque municipale Biot Sophia Antipolis