Monconseil Sports Hall / Explorations Architecture

Architect: Explorations Architecture
Location: Tours, France
Design team: Explorations architecture + Integrale 4 engineers
Client: City of Tours
Cost: 5m €
Project Area: 2700 sqm
Project Year: 2011
Photographs: Michel Denancé

Explorations architecture has just completed the Monconseil sports hall in Tours, 150km southwest of Paris. This public building is exemplary of Explorations’ approach to sustainable design.

The project emphasis is on natural light, the innovative use of natural materials and renewable energy:
1.The northern facade is fully glazed in order to avoid the use of electrical lighting in the main hall.
2. The composite suspended timber/steel roof spans close to 50m to allow for future uses.
3. The southern facade is clad with a photovoltaic “brise-soleil” in order to reduce energy consumption from the grid.