The proposed site was occupied by not only a number of beautiful oak and olive trees, but also some magnificent rocks. This made it a wonderful site, placing additional responsibility on the architect.

The principle of the project consists of preserving the landscape. A precise survey was drawn up of every tree and every rock. The shape of the building is deduced from these characteristic elements, which we were anxious to preserve.
The building appears to float above the landscape, with as little impact on it as possible. In accordance with this avoidance strategy, its curves are designed to circumvent the trees and rocks.
The building functions as the opposite of a presentation box, embracing the landscape the better to protect it.

A ramp leads users towards their special garden, thought out as a place for reading in the open air, while a summer bar slips into the space beneath the building to provide a shaded terrace. The underside of the building is designed as an area in its own right - a space facing the garden.

In the interior, the main feature is the fluidity of the space. There is abundant natural light, and the bays offer a choice of panoramic views. It is the elements of the site that produce the plasticity of this project, echoing the landscape by revealing its beauty.

Contracting owner: Town of Porto-Vecchio [Corsica]

Contract administration:
Authorised representative: Dominique Coulon & associés
Associate architect : Amelia Tavella Architectes
Design: Dominique Coulon, Ali Ozku
Preliminary design work: Ali Ozku, Hannes Libis, Hugo Maurice
Site supervision:
for Amelia Tavella Architectes: Anaïs Natali, Margot Van Gaver
for Dominique Coulon & associés: Ali Ozku, Hannes Libis

Technical design - Structure: SB Ingénierie
Structural consultant: Batiserf Ingénierie
Technical design - Electricity: BET G. Jost
Technical design - Fluids: G2i
Economist: Beaumeco
Acoustical engineer: Ingemansson France
Roads and services: Lollier ingénierie
Landscape designer: Bruno Kubler

Program: media library, reading areas, training workshops, display area, multi-purpose hall, garden/open-air media library, administrative offices

Address: Roman road, 20137 Porto-Vecchio [Corsica]
Location using Google Maps: 41°35'04.0"N 9°16'52.3"E

Surface area: 1 200 sq.m. net floor area / 2805 sq.m. gross floor area / 1060 sq.m. usable floor area
Cost: 4 500 000 euros, excluding taxes

Schedule:
Competition: April 2016
Design work: August 2016 - April 2018 (20 months)
Site work: July 2018
Delivery: 2021

Contractors:
Excavation/roads and services (Petroni), carcass/screed/external stone facing (Perez), sealing (Isola 2A), exterior joinery (ATS), interior joinery/furnishings (Menetrey), floor covering/faience (Santunione), high-/low-voltage electricity (Santini), heating/cooling/ventilation/plumbing/sanitary facilities (Climatec), landscaping (Corse Paysage), metalwork (Metalco).

Photographer: Eugeni Pons

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Animu Media Library

Porto-Vecchio, France

Other Projects by Dominique Coulon & Associés

‘Charles Aznavour’ conservatoire of music, theatre and dance in Montigny-le-Bretonneux

Swimming pool complex in Fondettes

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‘Moulon’ school group in Gif-sur-Yvette

'Simone Veil' group of schools in Villejuif

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'Olympe de Gouges' group of schools

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School group René Beauverie

Group of schools

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Nursing Home and Hospital extension

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Saint-Jean group of schools

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Animu Media Library

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Product Spec Sheet

Collaborating Firms

Team

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Animu Media Library

Porto-Vecchio, France

Other Projects by Dominique Coulon & Associés

‘Charles Aznavour’ conservatoire of music, theatre and dance in Montigny-le-Bretonneux

Swimming pool complex in Fondettes

Current music scene, Youth and cultural center and library in Rennes. France

‘Jeanne-Marie’ home for people suffering from mental disorders, in Still

‘Moulon’ school group in Gif-sur-Yvette

'Simone Veil' group of schools in Villejuif

‘Pierre Bottero’ media library and park in Pélissanne

'Olympe de Gouges' group of schools

Bloom Coffee shop

School group René Beauverie

Group of schools

University canteen

High school

Kindergarten

Nursing Home and Hospital extension

High school

Theatre

Nursery

Saint-Jean group of schools

Covered market and exhibition hall

Animu Media Library

Porto-Vecchio, France

Product Spec Sheet

Collaborating Firms

Team