Dominique Coulon
Crossings
Buildings 6 Strasbourg 18 Saverne 32 Marmoutier 48 Montreuil
Secondary school Sixth-form college Infant school Theatre
1996 2003 2006 2007
Conversations
67 81 91 107
Luca Merlini Methods Claude Bonnet Spaces Étienne Butzbach City Daniel Payot, Alexandra Pignol Complexity
130 Buhl 144 Montpellier 158 Belfort 174 Bagneux 188 Thionville 208 Orbec 224 Maizières-lès-Metz 242 Anzin 256 Clamart 270 Isbergues 288 La Courneuve 306 Colombes 324 Freyming-Merlebach
344 Index
354
Pélissanne
Nursery School complex Conservatoire Swimming pool Media library Retirement home Conservatoire Media library Sports hall Cultural centre School complex School complex Theatre
2015 2015 2015 2014 2016 2015 2009 2010 2015 2013 2010 2015 2017
Media library and garden
2018
4
The buildings Dominique Coulon creates follow on from each other but are not alike. Since its creation in the early 1990s, the practice he set up in the Krutenau district of Strasbourg has always retained its human scale: between twenty and thirty employees work there, spread over six floors of offices, cleverly intercalated with the architect’s private quarters. The particu lar architecture of the new building, completed in 2015, reflects the mindset of the practice: projects exist side by side, and sometimes become intertwined. There are no fixed roles or assigned posts. Each project is the result of intense and demand ing collective work in which individual contributions come together and enrich each other. This reflects the way Dominique Coulon thinks, facing head-on what he calls the ‘complexity’ of the project, meaning all the parameters involved in the design of a building—project, site, context, users, cost, technical challenges, sensory dimension, and aesthetic. A way of thinking that is determined not to deal with the elements separately, but rather to set them in motion simultaneously: ‘There is always something about a building that remains in suspense. I’m comfortable in situations where everything is not yet finalised—the long timeframe of architecture doesn’t bother me at all. Precision comes when things fall into place, when the focus sharpens. Each building has to be shaped in the same way as a sculpture is shaped.’ Most of the projects completed by the practice, and all the projects presented here, are public or collective buildings: the needs and desires of different groups of individuals come together in the projects and feed the architectural thought process. Dominique Coulon’s constructions are mainly located in France, and he is acutely sensitive to local particularities in the many different programmes he has designed, ranging from primary and secondary schools, conservatoires, theatres and performance venues to retirement homes and health centres, gymnasia, swimming pools, media libraries, cultural centres, courthouses, and administrative offices. Taking time out from the effervescence of his everyday work, the architect analyses his approach here. In eighteen buildings selected to reflect the diversity of the projects and four conversations on the outer edges of architecture, Dominique Coulon provides us with the keys to understanding his universe.
5
2007 Theatre
Montreuil
48
I think the interpretation, the distortion even, that the memory carries out is absolutely essential. A What’s left in fact is the things you want to change, ideas to build on. What’s left is perhaps the concept the place can offer — although it could be some thing else other than the place — that could become the concept for the future architecture. I don’t know if you go through a similar stage too, but I under stand the notion of vagueness you referred to just now as something that is perhaps much the same; it seems to me you were saying much the same thing — slowly building up your own personal vision in the same way, perhaps. DC
Quite so. Creating your own personal vision while things are still rather vague is well worthwhile, since it’s before there’s any resistance to the pro ject. Afterwards there is some sort of struggle … for example, you have to imagine the scale of the building and everything it could become — you have to take stock more seriously. But I think that what is important is what comes before that. I like architecture that doesn’t appear to be constrained by the site, architecture that appears to be on the same wavelength as its site. You rarely need a standalone object, although there are times when that does seem to be necessary. A standalone building is out of synch with its surroundings, and must stand out. In other words, it’s the actual idea of an object that exudes strength. The building exerts an influence on the town and on the public space, as if it were concentrating a certain amount of energy. I try to create a sort of interior universe in my buildings. On the one hand there is the brief that I’m aware of, and the relationships that can be imagined between the different elements of the programme, and on the other hand there are the views to be had, the views that can be achieved. To come back to Saint-Jean-de-Luz, I was rather obsessed with being able to see the sea, because it’s really not far away, but you’re at ground level at the time — the building doesn’t exist yet, so there’s the question of how to make sure the sea will be
visible. I was thinking of a terrace, but at the time I had no way of checking that it would be possible. LM
You mentioned the importance of these interior sit uations that you want to include in projects. That’s something I really like. Georges Didi-Huberman divides his book Being a Skull, 2 which is mainly about Giuseppe Penone, into a series of chapters, each one about being one particular thing. He starts with ‘being a box’, then moves on to ‘being an onion’, then ‘being a snail’, and so on, in a series of transformations to get closer to ‘being a site’. But let’s stay with just the first two chapters, and the transition from box to onion. From the first attempts at drawing a human skull, when it was considered as no more than a box with holes, we have moved on to a space that has thickness, a change in vision that the author attributes to Leonardo da Vinci. This idea of depth takes us away from a group of holes towards a sequence. So Didi-Huberman talks about onions. Leaving aside the taste factor, I’ve always liked the concept of the onion, with its layers of skins, each one being a step towards something else.
Specialised care home Mattaincourt, 2010
Perhaps what you’re saying makes me think of this idea of ‘being an onion’, meaning that as one penetrates further into the thickness of one of your buildings one sometimes sees the sky, or the
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view, or what the weather’s like … Your buildings are a series of crossings. From the outside, they often look like a suspended pebble, a closed thing, and you feel the outside sliding beneath it and expanding, building up in successive connected layers. It really is like peeling off the layers of an onion.
I find interesting are the times when the thickness is rendered more fragile. It’s perhaps the desire to give individuals a space of their own. You can have the very pleasant feeling of being in a public place and at the same time being in your own space or place. A refuge in a larger place, somehow. In cafés, for example, regulars always sit in ‘their’ place … LM
Sports centre Strasbourg, 2017
What I find really interesting is when the people who enter a building are both its users and its inhabitants. They are its users because they have come to see a show, if it’s a theatre. But they are also its inhabitants, because the way the building is designed makes them reach beyond its initial function. It’s as if, slipped behind this initial function, there are deeply domestic dimensions — niches, relationships, or very personal places where they cease to be like all the other people, where they can watch other people live, or look at the scenery, just like when you are alone in your own home. A constant interplay of what is shared and what is intimate. What do you think? Or is that perhaps an over-personal interpretation? DC
No, no — I think you’re right. I like thickness, the fact that you can be engulfed by the building. But what
What you’re saying puts me in mind of a building that, expressed in purely architectural terms, is noth ing like what you do — Peter Märkli’s ‘La Congiunta’ just south of the Gothard in Ticino. B The building houses sculptures by the artist Josephsohn, who was a friend of the architect. From the outside it is a very closed volume, looking rather like a row of railway carriages strung together. It is located in the countryside outside the village, beneath the rail way line. It’s a museum, but it doesn’t look anything like a museum; what I mean is that there are no staff on duty, there’s no bookshop or café, or any thing that would make it seem like a museum. To visit it you have to collect the key from the vil lage inn, you drive up by car, go over a little bridge across the river, then you reach a place where you’re not too sure where to put the car because there’s no car park. In the end you leave the car on a patch of grass, a bit concerned because you don’t know if it’s the right place. You open the door — it’s rather uncomfortable, as there’s a high step up to go in; once you go in, you’re suddenly inside a magnificent space in terms of light, with a bare floor. And for as long as you stay there, you’re the owner of the building and the works inside — they belong to you. You stay for five minutes — or for three hours — then you leave again, you go back to your car, it takes quite a bit of manoeuvring to get out, you hand in the key back at the inn, and you sign the visitors’ book. And obviously if you’re a bit curious you take a look to see if there’s anyone you know who has already been there — when you see that someone you know was there say three years earlier, you immediately get the feeling of belonging to a very select club. You get the feeling that for the duration of your visit you have been the
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5m
2016 Media library
Thionville
188
N 2
1
0
20 m
334
S trasbourg S econdary school 1994–1996 C lient: C onseil G énéral du B as- R hin P rogramme: S econdary school for 700 pupils C ost: 30 000 000 F incl. tax A rea: 5 800 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: A llée C olette B esson, 67100 S trasbourg
S averne S ixth-form college 2000–2003 C lient: R égion A lsace P rogramme (construction and extension): M ass catering for 700 meals, multi-purpose projection room, classrooms, computer room, laboratories, staff accomodations C ost: 4 560 000 euros incl. tax A rea: 3 389 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 1 rue de H aegen, 67700 S averne
I ngwiller N ursing home 1995–1999 C lient: A sile du N euenberg P rogramme (construction and extensio n ): N ursing home, retirement home and link to the existing hospital C ost: 39 000 000 F incl. tax A rea: 4 700 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 38 rue du P asteur H errmann, 67340 I ngwiller
S trasbourg U niversity canteen 2003–2004 C lient: D irection départementale de l’ É quipement du B as- R hin P rogramme (extensio n ): C anteen C ost: 219 277 euros excl. tax A rea: 100 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 4 A llée du S ommerhof, 67200 S trasbourg
R eims I nfant school 1998–2001 C lient: V ille de R eims P rogramme: I nfant school for 112 pupils C ost: 13 400 000 F incl. tax A rea: 1 660 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 15 rue des S culpteurs J acques, 51100 R eims
R eims S chool complex 2000–2005 C lient: V ille de R eims P rogramme: I nfant school, primary school, catering, computer room, multi-purpose hall, projection room, staff accomodation C ost: 6 009 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 3 880 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 12 ter rue P asse D emoiselles, 51100 R eims
M armoutier I nfant school 2004–2006 C lient: V ille de M armoutier P rogramme: 5 classrooms, activity room, library, rest area C ost: 1 400 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 1 160 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 1 chemin du S chlossgarten, 67440 M armoutier
C orbara I ndividual house 2006–2008 C lient: P rivate P rogramme: H ouse C ost: 300 000 euros incl. tax A rea: 139 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 20256 C orbara
M ontreuil T heatre 2003–2007 C lient: V ille de M ontreuil P rogramme: 400-seat theatre, rehearsing halls C ost: 9 030 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 2 600 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 10 place J ean J aurès, 93100 M ontreuil
P aris N ursery 2003–2008 C lient: V ille de P aris P rogramme (restructurin g ): N ursery of 60 cradles, separate areas for each age, daycare C ost: 1 800 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 990 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 11 bis rue É douard R obert, 75012 PARIS
S trasbourg A dministrative C entre 2004–2007 C lient: D irection départementale de l’ É quipement du B as- R hin P rogramme (restructuring of six buildings): T wo separate regional management offices with common meeting room C ost: 4 682 919 euros incl. tax A rea: 6 683 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 14 rue du M aréchal J uin, 67000 S trasbourg
M aizières-lès- M etz M usic conservatoire 2005–2009 C lient: V ille de M aizières-lès- M etz P rogramme: M usic conservatoire, 130-seat auditorium, reception hall, extra-curricular activities centre, area for the young C ost: 6 200 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 3 400 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 1 avenue M arguerite D uras, 57280 M aizières-lès- M etz
M attaincourt S pecialised care home 2004–2010 C lient: C entre hospitalier R avenel P rogramme: 40-bedroom specialised care home, restaurant, outdoor and indoor common areas C ost: 4 700 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 2 300 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 39 rue du G énéral de G aulle, 88500 M attaincourt
S trasbourg S chool complex 2009–2013 C lient: V ille de S trasbourg P rogramme (restructurin g ): 10-classroom infant school, 18-classroom primary school, music school, school canteen, extra-curricular activities centre, sports hall C ost: 10 700 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 8 731 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 13 rue des B onnes G ens, 67000 S trasbourg
A nzin M edia library 2006–2010 C lient: V ille d’ A nzin P rogramme: R eading and document-consulting areas, 100-seat multi-purpose hall, administration C ost: 3 750 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 1 750 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: P lace de B oussu, 59410 A nzin
I sbergues C ultural centre 2010–2013 C lient: V ille d’ I sbergues P rogramme: M edia library, 400-seat performance hall, rehearsing halls C ost: 6 200 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 3 928 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: R ue L éon B lum, 62330 I sbergues
L a C ourneuve S chool complex 2007–2010 C lient: V ille de L a C ourneuve P rogramme: 6-classroom infant school, 10-classroom primary school, 6-room leisure centre, school canteen, 5 offices for educational inspectorates, meeting room C ost: 8 000 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 4 500 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 2 rue des C los, 93120 L a C ourneuve
M ontmorency R egional court and industrial tribunal 2011–2013 C lient: M inistère de la J ustice P rogramme: C ourtrooms, 1 floor regional court offices, 1 floor industrial tribunal, archives, library, coffee room, main hall, technical facilities C ost: 4 367 100 euros excl. tax A rea: 2 110 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 137-143 avenue C harles de G aulle, 95 160 M ontmorency
B agneux S wimming pool 2009–2014 C lient: C ommunauté d’agglomération S ud de S eine P rogramme (restructuring and extension): 25-metre swimming pool, teaching pool, paddling pool, sauna, hammam, relaxation aeras, dressing rooms, showers, outdoor solarium C ost: 8 038 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 3 431 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 1 avenue de S talingrad, 92220 B agneux
S trasbourg C ombined workshop and home 2009–2015 C lient: P rivate P rogramme: P rivate appartment, architecture office C ost: 1 320 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 500 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 13 rue de la T our des pêcheurs, 67000 S trasbourg
P ont-sur- Y onne R etirement home 2010–2014 C lient: M aison de retraite L amy- D elletrez P rogramme: 92-bedroom retirement home with 14-bedroom A lzheimer unit, guest rooms, reception and animation centre, care and medical consultation facilities, administrative area, staff facilities, logistic and technical facilities C ost: 9 304 560 euros excl. tax A rea: 5 395 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: L e R avillon, 89140 P ont-sur- Y onne
C olombes S chool complex 2010–2015 C lient: V ille de C olombes P rogramme: 9-classroom infant school, 12-classroom primary school, infant school leisure centre, primary school leisure centre, canteen, sports hall C ost: 16 300 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 7 600 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 3 rue M arguerite Y ourcenar, 92700 C olombes
O rbec R etirement home 2008–2015 C lient: E . P . M . S . M arie du M erle P rogramme: 85-bed care home for dependent ederly people, 30-bed nursing home, day-centre providing adapted activities and treatment, kitchen, canteen, administrative areas, treatment department C ost: 12 279 536 euros excl. tax A rea: 5 833 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 8 rue de la S ource, 14290 O rbec
B elfort C onservatoire 2011–2015 C lient: C ommunauté d’agglomération B elfortaine P rogramme: 32 classrooms, 6 collective classrooms, 4 collective rehearsing rooms, 4 studios, 140-seat auditorium, 70-seat amphitheatre, dance hall, drama room, percussions room, library C ost: 6 326 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 3 895 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 1 rue P aul K oepfler, 90000 B elfort
V enarey- L es L aumes A rt and conference centre 2012–2015 C lient: V ille de V enarey- L es L aumes P rogramme: P erformance hall, tourist office, intergenerational centre, day-nursery C ost: 3 600 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 1 646 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: A venue de la gare, 21150 V enarey- L es L aumes
C lamart S ports hall 2010– 2015 C lient: C onseil départemental des H auts-de- S eine P rogramme: S ports hall, outdoor sports area, staff accomodations, secondary school’s courtyard C ost: 7 400 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 2 596 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 28 rue des C losiaux, 92140 C lamart
M ontpellier S chool complex 2012–2015 C lient: V ille de M ontpellier P rogramme: P rimary school, infant school, canteen, extra-curricular activities centre C ost: 7 300 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 3 444 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 89 avenue J oan M iró, 34 000 M ontpellier
T hionville M edia library 2010–2016 C lient: V ille de T hionville P rogramme: M edia library/third place, creation studios, auditorium/broadcasting room C ost: 11 000 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 4 590 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 1 place M alraux, 57100 T hionville
B uhl N ursery 2013–2015 C lient: C ommunauté de communes R égion de G uebwiller P rogramme: 40 children nursery, daycare and childminders’ relay C ost: 1 700 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 763 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 14 rue de la F abrique, 68530, B uhl
F reyming- M erlebach T heatre 2011–2017 C lient: C ommunauté de communes F reyming- M erlebach P rogramme: 700-seat performance hall (223-seat balcony, 477-seat parterre) C ost: 7 700 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 3 068 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 1 place des A lliés, 57800 F reyming- M erlebach
S trasbourg S ports hall 2012–2017 C lient: V ille de S trasbourg P rogramme: S ports hall, multi-purpose hall, changing rooms, infirmary, staff accomodation C ost: 4 300 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 2 660 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 9 rue P eter S chwarber, 67000 S trasbourg
H uningue H ousing for the elderly 2013–2018 C lient: V ille de H uningue P rogramme: 22 assisted housing units, lounge rooms, winter garden, catering, multimedia room, hall, activity room, craft workshop, parking C ost: 4 000 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 2 121 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 41 rue du M aréchal J offre, 68330 H uningue
M ons-en- B arœul C ultural centre 2012–2017 C lient: V ille de M ons-en- B arœul P rogramme: P erformance hall (500 seats, 1000 standing places), rehearsing hall, recording studio, musical creation studios C ost: 6 000 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 2 336 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 2 A venue R ené C oty, 59370 M ons-en- B arœul
S chiltigheim C overed market and exhibition area 2014–2018 C lient: V ille de S chiltigheim P rogramme: R ehabilitation of the former butchers’ cooperative: c overed market, exhibition area, café, convivial place, ticket office, administrative area C ost: 3 600 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 2 100 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 17 rue P rincipale, 67300 S chiltigheim
S trasbourg C afé 2017 C lient: P rivé P rogramme (restructurin g ): T ransformation of a room into a café C ost: 120 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 36,5 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 2 place des M euniers, 67000 S trasbourg
P élissanne M edia library and garden 2013–2018 C lient: V ille de P élissanne P rogramme: A reas for children of different ages, news area, cultural area, storytelling space for toddlers, documentary area, sound and multimedia area, staff facilities, outdoor garden C ost: 3 054 111 euros excl. tax A rea: 991 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: R ue de la R épublique, 13330 P élissanne
G idy S chool complex 2015–2019 C lient: C ommune de G idy P rogramme: 6-classroom infant school, 8-classroom primary school, administrative and extra-curricular areas, canteen, schoolyards C ost: 6 387 360 euros excl. tax A rea: 3 364 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: R ue du S tade, 45520 G idy
G if-sur- Y vette S chool complex 2015–2019 C lient: É tablissement public d’aménagement P aris- S aclay P rogramme: 8-classroom infant school, 12-classroom primary school, 11-room leisure centre, sports hall, canteen, library, activity room, art room and physical mobility room C ost: 12 300 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 6 828 m 2 S tage: Built A ddress: R ue F rancis P errin et rue A ndré B lanc- L apierre, 91190 G if-sur- Y vette
V aulx-en- V elin S chool complex 2015–2019 C lient: V ille de V aulx-en- V elin P rogramme: C hildminders’ relay, nursery, infant school, primary school, leisure centre, sports hall, library, school canteen, neighbourhood multi-purpose hall, staff accomodation C ost: 11 378 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 6 720 m 2 S tage: B uilt A ddress: 69120 V aulx-en- V elin
M oscow I nfant school 2016–2019 C lient: PIK P rogramme: I nfant school for 225 children A rea: 3 510 m 2 S tage: Built A ddress: S elskokhoziaystvennaya Street, M oscow
V illejuif S chool complex 2015–2019 C lient: V ille de V illejuif P rogramme: 6-classroom infant school, 11-classroom primary school, extra-curricular activities centre, activity rooms, canteen, staff accomodation, parking C ost: 13 100 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 4 561 m 2 S tage: Built A ddress: 5 passage de la P yramide, 94800 V illejuif
R ennes N eighbourhood facility 2013– C lient: V ille de R ennes P rogramme: M unicipal library, contemporary music stage, youth cultural centre, administrative areas C ost: 11 500 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 5 824 m 2 S tage: C onstruction A ddress: A venue J ules M aniez, 35000 R ennes
S arlat C ultural centre 2014– C lient: C ommunauté de communes de S arlat- P érigord noir P rogramme: C ultural centre, media library, music school, youth centre C ost: 3 454 539 euros excl. tax A rea: 2 059 m 2 S tage: C onstruction A ddress: 7 rue J ean- B aptiste D elpeyrat, 24200 S arlat-la- C anéda
P orto- V ecchio M edia library 2016– C lient: V ille de P orto- V ecchio P rogramme: R eading areas for children and adults, educational workshop, exhibition area, multi-purpose hall, open-air media library and garden, administrative area C ost: 4 200 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 1 200 m 2 S tage: C onstruction A ddress: L ieu-dit V ignola, 20137 P orto- V ecchio
P oissons R etirement home 2015– C lient: EHPAD L egay C olin P rogramme: 63-bed care home for dependent ederly people, kitchen, catering, administrative areas, medical centre, community life centre, social facilities C ost: 5 427 338 euros excl. tax A rea: 3 622 m 2 S tage: C onstruction A ddress: 37 rue de S aint- A mand, 52230 P oissons
B ourg-la- R eine C ultural centre 2016– C lient: V ille de B ourg-la- R eine P rogramme: M ulti-purpose hall with grandstand, arts rooms, craft rooms, language labs, dance halls, science and technology room, multimedia room, music studios, violin-making workshop, exhibition area, educational kitchen, main hall, administrative areas C ost: 5 870 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 2 550 m 2 S tage: C onstruction A ddress: 11 rue des R osiers, 92340 B ourg-la- R eine
F ondettes S wimming pool 2015– C lient: C ommunauté d’agglomération T our(s)plus P rogramme: 25-metre sports swimming pool, leisure pool, wellness area: 2 saunas, hammam and hot tub, 3-lane multi-slide, lawned solarium, beach-volley court C ost: 6 610 700 euros excl. tax A rea: 2 340 m 2 S tage: C onstruction A ddress: R ue A lfred de M usset, 37230 F ondettes
S aint- D ié-des- V osges C ultural centre 2017– C lient: C ommunauté de communes de S aint- D ié-des- V osges P rogramme (restructurin g ): T hird place: media library, tourist office, exhibition area, lecture hall, workshops C ost: 8 770 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 4 200 m 2 S tage: C onstruction A ddress: P lace J ules F erry, 88100 S aint- D ié-des- V osges
S till S pecialised care home 2017– C lient: A ssociations A dèle de G laubitz & L es M aisons de la C roix P rogramme: 30 bedrooms, catering, activity rooms C ost: 2 600 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 2 500 m 2 S tage: Construction A ddress: 25 G rand R ue, 67190 S till
G hisonaccia P erformance hall 2017– C lient: C ommunauté de communes F ium’orbu C astellu P rogramme: 300-seat performance hall, dressing rooms, wings, public square and outdoor stage, administrative area C ost: 4 900 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 1 355 m 2 (indoor) + 1 450 m 2 (outdoor) S tage: S tudies A ddress: 20240 G hisonaccia
M ontigny-le- B retonneux C onservatoire 2018– C lient: V ille de M ontigny-le- B retonneux P rogramme: S tage-rehearsing hall, 34-classroom theatre and music school, 3-hall dance school C ost: 7 100 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 5 270 m 2 S tage: Construction A ddress: A venue K essel, 78180 M ontigny-le- B retonneux
S trasbourg H ousing 2017– C lient: S tradim, K aufman & B road P rogramme: H ousing, offices, swimming pool, daycare and restaurant C ost: 50 000 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 39 400 m 2 S tage: S tudies A ddress: R oute du P etit R hin, 67000 S trasbourg
T alence D ance and music school 2016– C lient: V ille de T alence P rogramme: O rchestra hall, amplified-music hall, percussions room, individual and collective rehearsing studios, rooms for musical training, dance studios, 500-seat performance hall with retractable tiers, bar C ost: 6 437 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 2 912 m 2 S tage: S tudies A ddress: A llée du 7e A rt, 33400 T alence
S trasbourg H ousing 2017– C lient: S tradim P rogramme: 41 housing units with shared facilities: collective laundry room, party hall, guest rooms, roof terrace, vegetable garden, bicycle repair workshop C ost: 4 500 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 3 270 m 2 S tage: S tudies A ddress: R ue de N antes, 67100 S trasbourg
M oulins R etirement home 2017– C lient: EHD ( E ntreprendre pour humaniser la dépendance) P rogramme: 90-bed care home for dependent ederly people C ost: 7 204 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 4 648 m 2 S tage: S tudies A ddress: R ue du commandant J acques M orin, 03000 M oulins
S aint- J ean-de- L uz C ultural centre 2018– C lient: C ommune de S aint- J ean-de- L uz P rogramme: 500-seat performance hall, music, dance and theatre school C ost: 6 200 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 3 085 m 2 S tage: S tudies A ddress: R ue D uconte, 64500 S aint- J ean-de- L uz
I llzach N ursery 2018– C lient: M ulhouse A lsace A gglomération P rogramme: N ursery for 50 children C ost: 1 600 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 790 m 2 S tage: S tudies A ddress: R ue des C arrières, 68110 I llzach
S aint- V aast-la- H ougue R etirement home 2018– C lient: EHPAD du V al de S aire P rogramme: 63-bed care home for dependent ederly people with A lzheimer unit, shared catering areas on the groundfloor and upper floors, shared activities areas, kitchen, linen room C ost: 6 720 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 4 150 m 2 S tage: S tudies A ddress: L ieu-dit L e M arais, 50550 S aint- V aast-la- H ougue
N antes S chool complex 2018– C lient: V ille de N antes P rogramme (extensio n ): I nfant school (6 classrooms, library, physical mobility room, 2 rest areas), primary school (10 classrooms, multi-purpose hall, library), school canteen, extra-curricular activities centre C ost: 4 320 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 3 400 m 2 S tage: S tudies A ddress: B oulevard P rofesseur R ené A uvigné, 44100 N antes
T hionville S ports centre 2018– C lient: V ille de T hionville P rogramme: M ulti-purpose hall, sports hall, dance hall, rhythmic gymnastics hall, climbing wall C ost: 8 700 000 euros excl. tax A rea: 5 441 m 2 S tage: S tudies A ddress: 57100 T hionville
B uildings S trasbourg, secondary school, 1996 L ead architect: D ominique C oulon; A rchitects: M ichel B ayer, J an R ichter; L andscape: P ascale R ichter; A rtist: L orraine P ellegrini. —— S tructural system: K esser; P lasterwork: A lvanti; J oinery: V ollmer; R oofing: B eyer; W aterproofing: R ied É tanche. S averne, sixth-form college, 2003 —— L ead architect: D ominique C oulon; P roject supervision: A rnaud E loudyi; A rchitects: C aroline C avé, P aul L e Q uernec, R émy V alantin. —— S tructure: B atiserf I ngénierie; M echanical plumbing: BET Gilbert Jost; Community kitchens: É cotral; C ost control and monitoring: C 2B i. —— S tructural system: A lsacienne du bâtiment; P lasterwork: A lvanti; J oinery: V ollmer. M armoutier, infant school, 2006 —— L ead architect: D ominique C oulon; P roject and construction site supervision: O livier N icollas; A rchitects: S arah B rebbia, A rnaud E loudyi, S teve L etho D uclos. —— S tructure: HN I ngénierie; M echanical plumbing: BET G ilbert J ost; C ost control and monitoring: E 3 É conomie; L andscape: B runo K ubler. M ontreuil, theatre, 2007 —— L ead architect: D ominique C oulon; P roject supervision: S teve L etho D uclos; A rchitects: S arah B rebbia, A rnaud E loudyi, O livier N icollas; C onstruction site supervision: B ertrand M eurice A rchitecte. —— S tructure: B atiserf I ngénierie; M echanical plumbing: BET G ilbert J ost; C ost control: E 3 É conomie; S cenographer: J ean- P aul C habert; A coustics: E uro S ound P roject. M aizières-lès- M etz, conservatoire, 2009 —— L ead architect: D ominique C oulon; P roject supervision: Steve Letho Duclos, Sarah Brebbia; A rchitects: A rnaud E loudyi, O livier N icollas. —— S tructure: B atiserf I ngénierie, O mnis B âtiment, D el B en W alter; M echanical plumbing: BET G ilbert J ost; C ost control: E 3 É conomie; A coustics: E uro S ound P roject. —— S tructural system: Z annier construction; P lasterwork: K üpeli. L a C ourneuve, school complex, 2010 —— L ead architects: D ominique C oulon, O livier N icollas; A rchitects: S arah B rebbia, B enjamin R occhi, A rnaud E loudyi, F lorence H aenel. —— S tructure: B atiserf I ngénierie; M echanical plumbing: BET G ilbert J ost; C ost control: E 3 É conomie; L andscape: B runo K ubler. —— S tructural system: SNRB ; E xterior joinery: V ollmer; P lasterwork: L uso P laque & P lâtre; I nterior joinery: B onnardel; F inish: A rt M aniac; H eating, plumbing and ventilation: F oret; E lectricity: R ezza. A nzin, media library, 2010 —— L ead architect: D ominique C oulon; P roject supervision: O livier N icollas; A rchitects: S arah B rebbia, S teve L etho D uclos; C onstruction site supervision: O livier W erner A rchitecte. —— S tructure: B atiserf I ngénierie; M echanical plumbing: BET G ilbert J ost; C ost control: E 3 É conomie; A coustics: E uro S ound P roject. I sbergues, cultural centre, 2013 —— L ead architects: D ominique C oulon, S teve L etho D uclos; A rchitects: G autier D uthoit, O livier N icollas; C onstruction site supervision: O livier W erner A rchitecte. —— S tructure: B atiserf I ngénierie; M echanical plumbing and H igh E nvironmental Q uality: BET G ilbert J ost; C ost control: E 3 É conomie; A coustics: E uro S ound P roject; S cenographer: C hangement à V ue. B agneux, swimming pool, 2014 —— L ead architects: D ominique C oulon, B enjamin R occhi; A rchitects: A rnaud E loudyi, S arah B rebbia, G autier D uthoit; C onstruction site supervision: O livier W erner A rchitecte. —— S tructure: B atiserf I ngénierie; M echanical plumbing: A lto I ngénierie; C ost control: E 3 É conomie; A coustics: E uro S ound P roject. —— S tructural system: C ari; Roofing and waterp roofing: DBS ; E xterior joinery: R eithler;
E xterior insulation: SPR B âtiment et I ndustrie; S tainless steel pools: M yrtha P ools; I nterior joinery: D arbois; M etal works: ERI ; P lasterwork and painting: L uso P laque & P lâtre; C oncrete slab and tiled floors: K oehler & F ils; C ast floors: É tandex; E levators: E uroA scenseurs; E lectricity: H uard; H eating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing, drainage and water treatment: G uiban; S auna and hammam: S uede S auna. B uhl, nursery, 2015 —— L ead architects: D ominique C oulon, D avid R omero- U zeda, O livier N icollas; A rchitects: J avier G igosos R uipérez, D iego B astosR omero, G autier D uthoit; C onstruction site supervision: D avid R omero- U zeda. —— S tructure: B atiserf I ngénierie; M echanical plumbing: S olares B auen; E lectricity: BET G ilbert J ost; C ost control and monitoring: E 3 É conomie; A coustics: E uro S ound P roject; Kitchens: Écotral; L andscape: P hilippe Obliger. —— Earthworks, roadworks and structural system: STP M ader; W aterproofing: SMAC ; E xterior joinery: Vollmer; Metal works: Muller-Rost; E xterior insulation: S omren; S caff olding: L oc’ E chaf; I nterior joinery and furniture: H unsinger; P lasterwork: S omegyps; C oncrete slabs: STP M ader; T iled floors: M ultisols; G lued floors: H ertzog; P ainting and cleaning: S omren; G reen areas: P arcs et J ardins W ittersheim; E lectricity: V incentz; H eating and ventilation: M aison X avier F ruh; P lumbing and drainage: L abeaune; K itchen: M.E.A. B elfort, conservatoire, 2015 —— L ead architects: D ominique C oulon, S teve L etho D uclos; A rchitects: G uillaume W ittmann, L ukas U nbekandt, D iego B astos- R omero; C onstruction site supervision: S teve L etho D uclos, L ukas U nbekandt; F acade artists: M ax C oulon, G abriel K hokha. —— S tructure: B atiserf I ngénierie; M echanical plumbing: S olares B auen; E lectricity: BEE . FL ; C ost control: E 3 É conomie; A coustics: E uro S ound P roject. —— E arthworks and roadworks: E urovia; S truc tural system: A lbizzati P ère & F ils; W ater proofing: S oprema; M etal works: A ntonietti; E xterior joinery: H unsinger; P lasterwork: C urti; I nterior joinery: N egro P ère & F ils; W ood flooring: STTS ; G lued floors: M irolo P ère & F ils; C ast floors: F loorcolor; T iled floors: P etracca; C oncrete slabs: D e S tefano; P ainting: C urti; H eating and ventilation: E imi; P lumbing and drainage: B eyler; E lectricity: Z anelec; E xterior insulation: P ôle B âtiment; E levators: S chindler. M ontpellier, school complex, 2015 —— L ead architects: D ominique C oulon, S teve L etho D uclos; A rchitects: F anny L iénart, O livier P oulat; C onstruction site supervision: S teve L etho D uclos, O livier P oulat. —— S tructure: B atiserf I ngénierie; M echanical plumbing: S olares B auen; E lectricity: BET G ilbert J ost; C ost control: E 3 É conomie; A coustics: E uro S ound P roject; L andscape: B runo K ubler. —— S tructural system, roadworks and networks: BEC C onstruction; S pecial foundations and poles: F ranki F ondations; M etal frame: CIM M assol; W aterproofing: S oprema; E xterior joinery and sun protection: M istral F enêtres; E xterior insulation: I so T herm H abitat; M etal works: S errurerie D elmas; E xterior works: C olas; G reen areas: P ousse C lanet; I nterior joinery: D ucrot; P lasterwork and ceilings: S ociété frontignanaise de P lâtrerie; G lued floors: SPC ; T iled floors: A rt et T echnique du B âtiment; P ainting: L anguedoc C hantier; E levators: CFA ; E lectricity: SPIE S ud- O uest; H eating, ventilation and drainage: T emperia. C olombes, school complex, 2015 —— L ead architects: D ominique C oulon, O livier N icollas; A rchitects: G uillaume W ittmann, É milie B richard, J ean S cherer, D avid R omeroU zeda, D iego B astos- R omero, A urélie M artel, G authier D uthoit. —— S tructure: B atiserf I ngénierie; M echanical plumbing: S olares B auen; E lectricity: BET G ilbert J ost; C ost control: E 3 É conomie; A coustics: E uro S ound P roject; E rgonomist: D efacto; K itchens: É cotral; L andscape: B runo K ubler.
—— E arthworks, structural system, waterp roofing, elevators and metal works: SNRB ; F acades: SEE S imeoni; E xterior joinery: H unsinger; Interior joinery: M illet; W ood flooring: P rodesign; H eating, ventilation and drainage: B runier; E lectricity: R ezza; P hotovoltaics: S olstyce. O rbec, retirement home, 2015 —— L ead architects: D ominique C oulon, B enjamin R occhi; A rchitects: D avid R omero- Uzeda, O livier Nicollas, Chang Zhang, Javier G igosos R uipérez, P edro R odríguez R uipérez, A nia K lukowski, G autier Duthoit; Construction site supervision: É milie B richard, J ean S cherer. —— S tructure: B atiserf I ngénierie; M echanical plumbing and electricity: BET G ilbert J ost; C ost control: E 3 É conomie; A coustics: E uro S ound P roject; K itchens: É cotral; L andscape: B runo K ubler. —— E arthworks: L angevin TP ; S pecial foundations: P ieux O uest; S tructural system and drainage: G agneraud; R oadworks: C olas; G reen areas: L eblois E nvironnement; W aterproofing: SEO ; E xterior joinery: ACD E rnoult; F acades: DSA A tlantique; M etal works: R 2C ; P lasterwork: P lâtres M odernes C laude J obin; I nterior joinery: P errin; T iled floors: R evnor; G lued floors: P atrizio; P ainting: D urand; E levators: O tis; E lectricity: E iffage É nergie; H eating, ventilation and plumbing: S anichauffage; K itchen and cold storage: MBI . C lamart, sports hall, 2015 —— L ead architect: D ominique C oulon; Architects: David Romero-Uzeda, Olivier Poulat, C hang Z hang, S teve L etho D uclos, F lorence H aenel; C ompetition: O livier N icollas; C onstruction site supervision: O livier P oulat. —— S tructure: B atiserf I ngénierie; M echanical plumbing and electricity: BET G ilbert J ost; C ost control: E 3 É conomie; A coustics: E uro S ound P roject; L andscape: B runo K ubler. —— A sbestos disposal and demolition: C olas; E nvelope and exterior facilities: SNRB ; E levators: SEC F rance A scenseurs; M etal works, fence and gates: RS 2i B âtiment; P lasterwork, ceiling, interior joinery, signage and furniture: NBA ; T iled floors: D e C ock; P ainting and glued floors: A rt M aniac; P lumbing, heating and ventilation: S ert; S ports equipment: S port F rance. T hionville, media library, 2016 —— L ead architects: D ominique C oulon, S teve L etho D uclos; A rchitects: G autier D uthoit, T hibaut M uller, L ukas U nbekandt; C onstruction site supervision: S teve L etho D uclos. —— S tructure: B atiserf I ngénierie; M echanical plumbing: S olares B auen; E lectricity: BET G ilbert J ost; C ost control: E 3 É conomie; A coustics: E uro S ound P roject; L andscape: B runo K ubler. —— E arthworks and roadworks: C ostantini; S pecial foundations: S oletanche B achy; S tructural system: C ari; M etal frame: ERTCM ; W aterproofing: S oprema; E xterior metal joinery and glass: MGE + S ocomet; M etal works: SMF ; E xterior isolation and facade: I sola; S caffolding: K app; P lasterwork: K upeli; I nterior joinery: H unsinger; C oncrete slab and tiled floors: B atipro C arrelage; G lued floors: D ebra; C ast floors: G uinamic; I nterior painting and cleaning: A ppel; E levators: F eller; G reen areas: ISS ; D rainage: C ostantini; P lumbing drainage, heating and ventilation: L orry; E lectricity and VDI cabling: I neo; S cenic works: E uropodium; A udiovisual scenic equipements: M ichelsonne. F reyming- M erlebach, theatre, 2017 —— L ead architects: D ominique C oulon, O livier N icollas; A rchitects: J ean S cherer, D avid R omero- U zeda, A li O zku, F anny L iénart, G régoire S touck, D iego B astos- R omero, M argot M achin; C ompetition: O livier N icollas; C onstruction site supervision: O livier N icollas. —— S tructure: B atiserf I ngénierie; M echanical plumbing: S olares B auen; E lectricity: BET G ilbert J ost; C ost control: E 3 É conomie; H igh E nvironmental Q uality: S olares B auen; A coustics: E uro S ound P roject; S cenographer: C hangement à V ue; R oads and networks: L ollier I ngénierie.
—— E arthworks and roadworks: C olas; S truct ural system: C ari- F ayat; M etal frame: ERTCM ; W aterproofing: C ouvrest; E xterior steel joinery: S ocomet; V entilated facades: D eobat; M etal works: M uller; I nterior joinery and furniture: J ung; P lasterwork: N espola + W erey S tenger; G lued floors: SGR ; F loor and wall tiles: M ulti S ervices; I nterior painting and cleaning: D ebra; E levators: A scelec; S caffolding: K app; E lectricity: ETA ; H eating and ventilation: S chaeffer; P lumbing and drainage: L orry; L ocksmithing, machinery and scenic carpentry: C aire; S cenic curtains and drapes: A zur S cenic; T heatre armchairs: D elagrave; S cenic lighting and audiovisual media: S ystème S on. P élissanne, media library and garden, 2018 —— L ead architects: D ominique C oulon, G autier D uthoit, J ean S cherer ; A rchitects: D avid R omero- U zeda, J avier G igosos R uipérez, D iego B astos- R omero, O livier P oulat, M argot M achin, T homas B uckenmeyer, F lorent R evel, T héo P etit, Y annick S ignani. —— S tructure: B atiserf I ngénierie ; Mechanical plumbing and electricity: BET G ilbert J ost ; Cost control : E 3 É conomie ; A coustics: E uro S ound P roject ; Roads and networks : L ollier I ngénierie ; Landscape : B runo K ubler. —— D emolition and structural system: COSEPI F rance ; Roofing and waterproofing: SMED ; A luminium exterior joinery: SMAB ; Wood exterior joinery: V ollmer ; Facade renovation and s caff olding: A trium B âtiment ; Metal works : SFM du L uberon ; Interior joinery: C oncept P arachini, M enuiserie B areau ; Wood flooring : S inger ; Tiled floors : SPTB ; P lasterwork, i nterior painting and cleaning: P rovence P einture R evêtement ; E levators: CFA ; Electricity : Y lioss ; Heating , ventilation, plumbing and drainage: STME ; Exterior works : E urovia ; Furniture : IDM ; Signage : P olsud C ommunication.
P ictures E very effort has been made to trace all copyrights holders and obtain permission to reproduce the present material. T he publisher and authors sincerely apologize for any mistakes or omissions and would be grateful if notified of any corrections that should be incorporated in future reprints or editions of this publication. F or the illustrations, pages 64 and 129: A © L uca M erlini. A © Peter Märkli . D Photograph: Cemal Emden © ADAGP , P aris, 2020. E A ldo R ossi © R ights reserved, E raldo C onsolascio, F abio R einhart, B runo R eichlin. P hotograph: © C entre P ompidou, MNAM - CCI , Dist. RMN -Grand Palais / Georges Meguerditchian. F © Sou Fujimoto. Photograph: © Dominique C oulon. G © F . L . C . / ADAGP , P aris, 2020. I © F onds P arent. SIAF / C ité de l’architecture et du patrimoine / A rchives d’architecture du XX e siècle. J © Á lvaro S iza V ieira. P hotograph: © L uís F erreira A lves. K © T ezuka A rchitects. L © ADAGP , P aris, 2020. N © F . L . C . / ADAGP , P aris, 2020. F or the photographs, pages 50–51: M artin A rgyroglo. P ages 175–177, 178 middle and bottom, 181–185, 186 bottom: C lément G uillaume. P ages 16–49, 57–63, 85 middle, 88: J ean- M arie M onthiers. P ages 12–13, 68–71, 85 top and bottom, 93, 94 left, 100, 111 bottom, 132–133, 145, 148–173, 189–196, 200–204, 205–209, 213–214, 218–220, 226–243, 248–261, 268, 292–301, 302–316, 317 bas, 318–319, 321–323, 328–336, 338, 344, 355–356, 360–369: E ugeni P ons. P age 197: L es 4 V ents. P ages 7–10, 86, 94 right, 101, 111 middle, 113, 131, 134, 139, 142–143, 178 top, 186 top, 187, 210, 216–217, 221, 271–286, 317 top, 325, 337: D avid R omero- U zeda. W e would like to warmly thank all artists and architects who graciously granted us the reproduction rights of their works, as well as all who participated in the making of D ominique C oulon et A ssociés’ projects and of this monograph.
Dominique Coulon was born in the Jura region of eastern France in 1961, and founded his practice in 1989 after studying in Strasbourg and Paris-Belleville. He travelled in America and Europe in 1991 on a Villa Medici ‘Hors les Murs’ grant. In 2007 he began teaching at the national school of architecture ( ENSA ) in Strasbourg, where he created a master’s programme entitled ‘Architecture and Complexity’, working across disciplines to achieve a different way of thinking about architectural projects.
D ominique C oulon et A ssociés 1989–
Dominique Coulon Crossings
F atiha A lmi I lia A nastassov M arie A uberti Ariane Azuelos S ophia B abouri L eatitia B allarin D iego B astos- R omero M ichel B ayer M athilde B lum D aria B oeva T homas B onnet S arah B rebbia —— partner (2008–2013) É milie B richard T homas B uckenmeyer C aroline C ave H ouyam C ariou G wladys C elestin M arion C osta D ominique C oulon —— founder M anon C uccu M ehmet D avaz L éa D elpech V alerija D enisova K atia D ulck G autier D uthoit A rnaud E loudyi N icolas E tienne H auck C laudia F ong E stelle F ort T hibaut F oulon V alérie G angloff Manon Genevois D elphine G eorge S ophie G eorgel J avier G igosos R uipérez Aurélien Gœpp O livier G reder A nnick G uillemette F lorence H aenel Marine Joli L aura K aczmarek A nia K lukowski B landine K untz A rmelle L egadec P aul L e Q uernec S teve L etho D uclos —— partner (2011–) H annes L ibis F anny L iénart M argot M achin V irginie M aglaive A urélie M artel H ugo M aurice C aroline M etzger T hibaut M uller C lara N eumann O livier N icollas —— partner (2008–2020) A lexandre O tto A li O zku A drien P etit O livier P oulat A lexandre P uech A udrey R edelsperger F lorent R evel J an R ichter P ascale R ichter —— partner (1995–2000) B enjamin R occhi —— partner (2013–2020) P edro R odriguez R uipérez D avid R omero- U zeda A lex R othenburger A mina S ahaoui H élène S chaeffer J ean S cherer Y annick S ignani G régoire S touck L ukas U nbekandt R émi V alantin G uillaume W ittmann C hang Z hang
Publisher Actar Publishers, New York, Barcelona www.actar.com C oncept D ominique C oulon M anon C uccu S ophie G eorgel D avid R omero- U zeda T exts of the projects D ominique C oulon C ontributions C laude B onnet É tienne B utzbach L uca M erlini D aniel P ayot A lexandra P ignol R ichard S coffier T ranslation from F rench to E nglish A ndrew A yers (projects) K atherine P arsons (conversations) C opy editing and proofreading M anon C uccu S ophie G eorgel C lara N eumann P lans and drawings D iego B astos- R omero I sabella D e C arvalho F erreira C ristian G arvia M endivil S ophie G eorgel J avier G igosos R uipérez Osvaldo Gounon L uc K uster L ion R ust P hotographs C lément G uillaume J ean- M arie M onthiers E ugeni P ons D avid R omero- U zeda Book design and layout C lara N eumann T ypefaces A kzidenz G rotesk, G aramond P remier P aper M unken P olar 120 g/m 2 P rinting Offizin Scheufele, Stuttgart Binding Josef Spinner Großbuchbinderei, Ottersweier D istribution A ctar D , I nc. New York, Barcelona
440 P ark A venue S outh, 17th F loor N ew Y ork, NY 10016 T +1 212 966 2207 salesnewyork@actar-d.com R oca i B atlle 2–4 08023 B arcelona T +34 933 282 183 eurosales@actar-d.com English ISBN: 978-1-948765-31-2 LCCN : 2017956612 French edition available © 2020 A ctar P ublishers, D ominique C oulon et A ssociés and the authors T his work is subject to copyright. N o part of the material may be reproduced or used without written permission from the copyright holders. P rinted in Germany, Europe Publication date: November 2020
‘Your buildings are a series of crossings. From the outside, they often look like a suspended pebble, a closed thing, and one feels the outside sliding beneath it and expanding, building up in successive connected layers. It means that as one penetrates further into the thickness of one of your buildings one sometimes sees the sky, or the view, or what the weather’s like.’ How are the crossings which Luca Merlini describes here formed? Dominique Coulon is an architect: he uses programmes, places, lighting, materials and colours to create unique spaces that mark and accompany the bodies. In eighteen projects, he questions his practice of public architecture and analyses the universes it produces—soothing, radiant or dramatic, they seek to both welcome and surprise. A selection of unpublished plans, diagrams and drawings, together with four conversations with architect Luca Merlini, researcher in neuro sciences Claude Bonnet, politician Étienne Butzbach, and philosophers Daniel Payot and Alexandra Pignol, lend a particular dimension to this new monograph.
978-1-948765-31-2