French architects a/LTA shared with us their renovation and extension project for an existing Aquatic Center in Ernée, France. More images and architect’s description after the break.
The Aquatic Center is existing. The proposed project has 2 parts, a renovation, and an extension of the existing building. Synthetically we recall:
- The current pool hall is facing South - The access to the technical local is located on the North - The green and mineral beaches are oriented to the South
In extension of this existing base, we reconfigured the access hall, incorporating the administration and staff local, and secondly, building the “lagoon games” close to and in continuity of the existing pool hall.
This extension serves as a link between the existing pool and the Dojo, creating a large body frame, it will be very attractive and modern signal desired. The pool opens wide as previously indicated to the South, whether for the pools, beaches, outdoor solarium and now for the public reception.
Indeed, the reconfigured equipment, will take an important place on the site, it also becomes the major restructuring element. We profit of the need to ennoble the hall and to introduce a ‘lagoon games’ to the pool hall to give a different scale to the project.
The consolidation of three entities. Existing pool + outdoor + dojo will become one entity. A metal structure supported by thin metal columns, gives a light and elegant unit that what could be just adding volumes, by drawing a light and elegant line in landscape.
The slope increases the linear vision because of the ground movement, of sheet metal surface and reinforcing this visual impact. In addition, the equipment is already naturally placed a bit like on a pedestal. The large South windows give an apparently immaterial vision at all. So the subtle play of shadows made by the sheet metal that signals its presence. Further work on this volume, we sought to find the right balance between opacity and transparency, what must be seen, or what needs to be guessed.
Architects: a/LTA Location: Ernée, France Design Team: Mandataire a_LTA (Le Trionnaire (x2) – Tassot – Le Chapelain) + Ouest-Structures + Ethis + Hernot Client: Communauté de Communes de l’Ernée Date: Restricted Competition in 2011 Area: 1,950 sqm Images: Courtesy of a/LTA
