Conservatoire Claude Debussy

Conservatoire Claude Debussy


LOCATION:
Paris (FR)

ARCHITECT:
Basalt Arquitecture

MODEL:
Space Club & Curved Telescopic Tribune

MORE INFO:
www.basalt-arquitecture(architect)
mairie17.paris.fr (client)

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Located right between two high buildings, the conservatory is placed in a very special area of the city very much related with the architectural story of the city. In the border of the 17th district, close to the Southern buildings of Haussman style, the building faces to the new social houses – in the Courcelles street, an important corridor that leads into the city from the Peripherique Boulevard through two styles and architectural ages.

The new building creates a movement from the bottom to the top through the external surfaces. A strong signal is sent to the city from a 20m high building right in the middle of a green alley and very different to the current architecture visible from the Périphérique motorway: thanks to its location & design this building participates in a permanent dialogue with the city.

The dancing venues with their big windows are located in the upper floors: they allow a very active participation in the visual sign of the building with a particular volume that faces the apartments in the North. Meanwhile the Southern part is the pleated skin with perforations that contrast with the classic Haussmann style buildings.

However, the idea behind this project is creating a building starting from its heart: the music halls. This is the sole intention of the building: a place where people play, learn, dance and create. Sounds and movements emerge from the activities of this practice school: they become real and perforate the skin of the building.

In order to improve the multi-use purposes of the building the auditorium is equipped with a telescopic tribune that enables the fast transformation of the hall. The whole structure can be closed in minutes – including the bespoke Space Club chairs with individual folding system, high back with outer wooden panel and special metal standards to enable the use of retractable chairs in curved steps.