2011 Pauline HercotPauline Hercot - Un centre culturel en bord de Vesdre
A cultural center in Verviers
The city of Verviers has developed itself in close collaboration with the Vesdre river, which has earned its linearity. The cultural center is implant as a long line along the river’s one. The aim is to provide an identity to this place with a very lively building while allowing for permeability of the city to the Vesdre river.
Responding to the hills surrounding the city, it consists of layers which are shifted in space and cross to give rise to spaces. The strata are floor, balcony, gateway and coverage. The exterior always shifts horizontal strata, to create a indoor/outdoor relationship and enhance the linearity of the project. This glass wall reveals another inner facade been driven by visitors’ activity. Sometimes, the way can be outside the building, terraces and spaces are used as extensions of the interior space.
The main entrance leading to a “forum” is the heart of the “general public” space. It provides access to the theater and cinema, library and exhibition space. It includes a part that is related to the life of the center and one that is completely isolated to allow a specific direction. The bigger hall is located in the second part of the building and is autonomous from the rest.
Music workshops, art of speech, visual art and dance develop themselves on the layers that make the link between the two parts of the building. The workshop activities will continue beyond their premises to inhabit the space generated by the strata and terraces. In this way, the center could be experienced both inside and outside.
This building is thought to be experienced in every aspect and every place, to create an artistic emulation.
The city of Verviers has developed itself in close collaboration with the Vesdre river, which has earned its linearity. The cultural center is implant as a long line along the river’s one. The aim is to provide an identity to this place with a very lively building while allowing for permeability of the city to the Vesdre river.
Responding to the hills surrounding the city, it consists of layers which are shifted in space and cross to give rise to spaces. The strata are floor, balcony, gateway and coverage. The exterior always shifts horizontal strata, to create a indoor/outdoor relationship and enhance the linearity of the project. This glass wall reveals another inner facade been driven by visitors’ activity. Sometimes, the way can be outside the building, terraces and spaces are used as extensions of the interior space.
The main entrance leading to a “forum” is the heart of the “general public” space. It provides access to the theater and cinema, library and exhibition space. It includes a part that is related to the life of the center and one that is completely isolated to allow a specific direction. The bigger hall is located in the second part of the building and is autonomous from the rest.
Music workshops, art of speech, visual art and dance develop themselves on the layers that make the link between the two parts of the building. The workshop activities will continue beyond their premises to inhabit the space generated by the strata and terraces. In this way, the center could be experienced both inside and outside.
This building is thought to be experienced in every aspect and every place, to create an artistic emulation.
