![The FORUM Associative / Manuelle Gautrand Architecture - Image 1 of 36](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/570b/2d5d/e58e/ce64/aa00/0163/newsletter/portada_01.Manuelle_GAUTRAND_Le_Forum_Guillaume_Guerin.jpg?1460350295)
-
Architects: Manuelle Gautrand Architecture
- Area: 5713 m²
- Year: 2015
-
Manufacturers: MOSO, AkzoNobel, Cabril, Knauf, METAL DEPLOYE, PONTIGGIA, Plaka, URBAN-DUMEZ, Vitra
![The FORUM Associative / Manuelle Gautrand Architecture - Cityscape, Windows](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/570b/2c47/e58e/ce29/ac00/0278/newsletter/07.Manuelle_GAUTRAND_Le_Forum_Guillaume_Guerin.jpg?1460350016)
Text description provided by the architects. Located in Saint-Louis (Alsace, France) in the “Three Borders” region and in the inner suburb of Basel, the “Forum” is a 5.713 sqm cultural facilities designed to host associative, sporting and cultural events.
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/570b/2f49/e58e/ce29/ac00/0288/medium_jpg/GIS-hr-08-DET_plan_MASSE.jpg?1460350787)
The wish was to create a unified project, playing on both the multiplicity of the connected volumes, and on a global homogenous design.
![The FORUM Associative / Manuelle Gautrand Architecture - Brick, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/570b/2d08/e58e/ce64/aa00/015f/newsletter/63.Manuelle_GAUTRAND_Le_Forum_Guillaume_Guerin.jpg?1460350208)
The building, made of 13 distinct volumes assembled in one big puzzle at the center of the site, is a harmonious answer to the surrounding individual houses. In the same time, the choice of a unique material for the whole building – a copper-colored expanded metal – makes it original equipment and a landmark in the city of Saint-Louis.
![The FORUM Associative / Manuelle Gautrand Architecture - Image 4 of 36](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/570b/2d30/e58e/ce29/ac00/0282/newsletter/FORUM_ST_LOUIS-017-Luc_Boegly.jpg?1460350247)
![The FORUM Associative / Manuelle Gautrand Architecture - Chair](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/570b/2d48/e58e/ce29/ac00/0283/newsletter/FORUM_ST_LOUIS-028-Luc_Boegly.jpg?1460350272)
The inspiration has come from the context, which combines big orangey interlocking tile roofs with some industrial brick chimneys reminding the industrial past of the site.
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/570b/2f67/e58e/ce64/aa00/0168/medium_jpg/GIS-br-09-DET_plan_RDC.jpg?1460350799)
Inside the building, the spaces flexibility is maximal: two main adjustable subspaces have been created. The Great Hall (1.870 sqm), dedicated to host sport practice, competitions, shows, concerts or fairs, can be adapted thanks to a mobile bleacher and a set of retractable sliding partitions. The Festival Hall (870 sqm) also hosts shows and fairs, as well as associative events or banquets and weddings, thanks to a kitchen placed right next to it.
![The FORUM Associative / Manuelle Gautrand Architecture - Image 21 of 36](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/570b/2c83/e58e/ce29/ac00/027b/newsletter/25.Manuelle_GAUTRAND_Le_Forum_Guillaume_Guerin.jpg?1460350076)
Those two big areas can be independent or opened on each other if the use of the entire building is required.
![The FORUM Associative / Manuelle Gautrand Architecture - Beam, Steel](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/570b/2cd8/e58e/ce29/ac00/027e/newsletter/53.Manuelle_GAUTRAND_Le_Forum_Guillaume_Guerin.jpg?1460350161)
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/570b/2f19/e58e/ce29/ac00/0286/newsletter/GIS-br-03-DET_perspective_STOCKAGE.jpg?1460350719)
![The FORUM Associative / Manuelle Gautrand Architecture - Image 24 of 36](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/570b/2cb2/e58e/ce29/ac00/027d/newsletter/39.Manuelle_GAUTRAND_Le_Forum_Guillaume_Guerin.jpg?1460350123)
A dynamic thermal simulation was used to reach a very good energetic efficiency. This level of performance has been achieved thanks to two envelopes with complementary functions: A first structural envelope forming the core and shell while guaranteeing thermal and acoustic insulations. And a second skin of expanded metal mounted over the core and shell, creates a wide plenum allowing great thermal protection.
![The FORUM Associative / Manuelle Gautrand Architecture - Brick](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/570b/2d23/e58e/ce64/aa00/0160/newsletter/FORUM_ST_LOUIS-011-Luc_Boegly.jpg?1460350237)