lons-le-saunier-mediatheque This recently-completed Mediatheque by Parisian practice du Besset-Lyon Architectes is a rolling curve of camel-coloured concrete in a caged site.

On three sides the Mediatheque - which incorporates a public library and a cinema - is bordered by strong architectural expressions: a historic church; the Hotel de Balay; and the local prison. In order to overcome the challenges set by this difficult site, the architects proposed a curved structure constructed out of concrete to fall in line with the mineral materials which define the three aforementioned buildings. The team were also keen to shy away from outlandish architectural expressions and instead created a smoothly-lined, simple volume that speaks to the hotel, church and prison. du Besset-Lyon Architectes details: It draws its strength and its strangeness owing to the fact that it maintains an active relationship with its neighbours. Thus, the curvature of its southern faade addresses a direct response to the large slope of the slate covered roof of the church; the curve of its plan constitutes a natural connection between the street of Cordeliers, the new central place the back of the church. Uncomplicated in its silhouette, the Mediatheque is defined by its hexagonal windows which are arranged in clusters across the facades, drawing natural light into the 3,500 sq m of internal space. From the uppermost of the three above-ground storeys, these angular window panes allow the buildings users to gaze across the town with uninterrupted views. There is also a basement floor which hosts the film screening rooms. Recent finalizata cldire a mediatecii din Lons-le-Saunier, Frana a fost proiectat de echipa du BessetLyon Architectes, volumetria acesteia remarcndu-se prin silueta concav realizat din beton. Situl pe care aceasta a fost construit este marginit de construcii aparinnd unor stiluri arhitecturale i epoci diferite, printre care o biseric din piatr, cldirea Hotelului Balay i nchisoarea local. Pentru a gsi o rezolvare la acestei constrngeri generate de fondul construit existent, arhitecii au propus o structur curb, realizat integral din beton astfel nct, din punct de vedere al texturii i materialitii, s se potriveasc cu celelelalte elemente minerale folosite n construciile nvecinate. Forma realizat este una cu linii simple, ce definesc suprafee concave i muchii vii. Arhitecii declarau urmtoarele: Volumul capt expresivitate i se distinge de restul datorit meninerii unui dialog cu cldirile nconjurtoare. n acest fel, curbura faadei sudice vine ca un rspuns firesc la panta abrupt a acoperiului bisericii; curbura planului constituie o legatur natural ntre strada Cordeliers i noua pia central din spatele bisericii. Formele simple sunt decorate cu ajutorul unor serii de ferestre hexagonale, care asigur lumina natural n spaiile interioare. n acelasi timp, de la cel de al treilea nivel vizitatorii pot s priveasc prin aceste hublouri i s beneficieze de perspective panoramice asupra oraului. Expresia ahitectural a exteriorului se regasete i la inteiror. Din zon de intrare, vizitatorii pot s perceap i s neleag ntregul volum. Organizarea spaiilor interioare a fost realizat pe niveluri i

parti din volum bine delimitate. Mediateca avnd o suprafa de 3500 mp, conine o bibliotec public i un cinematograf. Volumul are trei niveluri supraterane i un subsol unde se afl i cinematograful .

Architects: du Besset-Lyon Architectes Location: Lons-le-Saunier, France Design Team: Dominique Lyon, Pierre du Besset Project Manager: Anne Tellier Team: Khephren Ingnierie (Structure), Espace Temps (Fluids Engineering), Jean-Claude Drauart (Economist), Franck Boutte (HQE Consultant), Vronique Ratel (Architect dexecution) Client: Communaut de Communes du Bassin de Lons-le-Saunier Area: 3,500 sqm Year: 2012 Photographs: Philippe Ruault The existing buildings: the church, the Hotel de Balay and the wall of the prison form an impressive urban setting made up of simple lines, great mineral surfaces and imposing masses. Unfortunately, the relation that these three constructions maintain cannot be experienced from the street. Obviously, a fourth element is needed on the north side to complete the urban structure. The missing element is the library/cinemas. The new building has the courtesy to curve itself in order to spare a public place that opens on the street. An urban respiration is created which is welcome in a very dense built context. Like its neighbours, the lines of the new building are simple, its matter is mineral (concrete) and its presence is stated without superfluous arrangements of volumes and materials. It draws its strength and its strangeness owing to the fact that it maintains an active relationship with its neighbours. Thus, the curvature of its southern faade addresses a direct response to the large slope of the slate covered roof of the church; the curve of its plan constitutes a natural connection between the street of Cordeliers, the new central place and the back of the church. If it is respectful of its environment, the new building is also keen to assert its unique presence. Its aesthetic is regulated by a combination of curved lines. By this process it appears an autonomous object. Placed in front of one of his frontages, one seizes the system that regulates it, understands that it applies to the unit and perceives the whole. The architectural expression of the exterior is found in the interior. From the entrance, one perceives the entirety of interior volume. The interior organization is of a great clearness: the various functions are distributed on three levels plus a basement for the movie theatres.