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Architects
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Location
Lavilledieu, 24120 Terrasson-Lavilledieu, France -
Client
Bovetti Chocolats -
Area
2,641 m2 -
Project Year
2010
Text description provided by the architects. The extension project of the chocolate factory covers the three objectives outlined by the client.
- Increases the production surface in the context of the existing factory,
- Expands the administrative areas,
- Restores the museum and shop.
With a contemporary spirit in mind, the materials and the colours used also fits into the traditional method of chocolate presentation. The wood evokes the colour of the cocoa export boxes, while the the top inset glass windows are framed with dark brown metal, reminding the onlooker of the paper wrapper of the goods..... The existing cladding of the north and eastern facades have been painted with the same brown to correspond with the new southern extension so the new building integrates with the structure of the whole factory.
The entrance leads in from the road to the museum's main doors through a covered porch. The museum is designed in such a way that the visitor progresses through the different stages of the production of the raw chocolate and its mixing methods.The final configuration of the actual chocolate is made under the direction of the laboratory. Thus, the visitor is under the impression that she/he is standing inside a factory and not in a museum. Wide glass panels above the machinery makes the image of a chocolate factory much more appealing.
