Children’s Recreation Centre / AIR Architecture

© David Boureau

Architects:  AIR / Cyrille Hanappe & Olivier Leclercq
Location: Pierrelaye, 95, France
Architects in Charge: Estelle Nicod, William Loupias
Client: City of Pierrelaye
Site area: 5,250 sqm
Constructed area: 1,521 sqm
Budget: € 2,631,000
Project year: 2008
Photographs: David Boureau

The children’s recreation centre is located in a small rural town in the midst of agricultural warehouses. The plan takes into account the particular layout of the site: the building can be accessed only through a narrow path that stretches into it.

idea diagram

site plan

The main structure follows and reinforces this urban pattern, thereby becoming an articulation, a filter between the town and the domain reserved for chidren. Seen from the street, the edifice blends in with other buildings thanks to a single volume enterely covered with mechanical tiles. On the other side, small coloured houses of varying shapes open onto the garden designed for the children.

© David Boureau