Aquaterra Environmental Centre / Tectoniques Architectes

Daniel Sánchez — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 01:00:00 +0000

After a call for ideas addressed to the local residents, the Maison de l’Environnement et du Développement Durable (Centre for the Environment & Sustainable Development) of the Hénin-Carvin Joint Urban Authority adopted the name Aquaterra. The facility is in the middle of a large park on the site of the former Drocourt coking plant. Founded in 1925, this was one of Europe’s largest coke production plants. After changes in the coal and steel industries in the late 20th century, the plant finally closed in 2002. All of the developments were quickly demolished, leaving just a large platform and some terrils (slag heaps). The marked, polluted ground and the slag heaps, mountains and hills, composed of inert but emblematic masses in this flat landscape, are the only relief visible from a long distance.

City: henin-beaumont | ArchDaily

Aquaterra Environmental Centre / Tectoniques Architectes