a+t architecture publishers

The transformation of a former power station into the Bordeaux House of Architecture was based, according to its architects FABRE/deMARIEN, on the co-existence of both existing and new elements. Traces of former occupancy on the walls were preserved while new elements were painted white. Six months after moving in, the client – a group of institutions made up of the College of Architects, the House of Architecture, the Architects Training Centre and the Architecture et Commande Publique offices - decided to paint all the spaces white. The reasons given were the "dust and discomfort" resulting from the untreated walls.

On the left: the building as it was designed and executed by the authors (Photo: Stéphane Chalmeau Photographe d'architecture).

On the right: the building transformed by the users (Photo: a+t research group).

Project published in a+t 39-40 Reclaim - Remediate Reuse Recycle