The client’s specific request for this press
conference room was to create a project that would be both contemporary and
timeless at the same time in order to match the Institution that it would represent.
We aimed to transform this “technical tool”
into a space of representation and communication for the Minister and its
politicians. A high number of technical equipments and utilities needed to be
integrated in the suspended ceilling in order to a clear a clean, bright and
sun filled space. This sensitive space is located at the ground floor of the
Ministry, rue de Varenne in Paris, in a monument listed for Historical
Monuments Preservation.
Two existing massive columns were supporting
the four upper levels. These were problematic for the use of the space and have
been suppressed to fully reveal the newly opened volume.
A grid acts as a matrix to organize the
different elements from the floor to the ceiling. At the same time, a generous
undulation expands on the floating ceiling, covering the entire room. The
variations are directly related to the spaces : journalists and minister
access, large windows, structural beams, etc.
The suspended ceiling is made of a series of
boxes with variable altimetry. The slits between the boxes allow for a soft
light to diffuse into the space. The depth of the ceiling and the technicality
of the wooden boxes allow to conceal and insert all technical constraints and
scenography equipment (structural beams holding the four upper floors,
ventilation, lighting and public address system, acoustic treatment). A random
perforation of the panels allows to treat the acoustics and create a poetic
design diffusing light over the entire room. The Koto wood used in the ceiling
panels echoes the colours and tones as well as the patterns to be found in the
flooring, hence tying the whole volume in together.
The Ministry of Agriculture now has a performing tool
which combines poetry and rigour in a flexible and controlled environnement.
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Information
h2o
architectes
Program : Press Conference Room for the French Ministery of Agriculture
in a 19th century building listed as a Historical MonumentLocation : Rue de Varenne, Paris (75007)Client : French Ministery of AgricultureTeam : h2o architectes withEngineering - Ingénierie Louis Choulet, HVAC- Cabinet Virtz, Economist- BMI, Structural Engineer- Scène, Scenography Project area : 100m²Delivery : december 2010Photo credits : Stéphane Chalmeau