Mémorial du camp de Rivesaltes

 

Mémorial du camp de Rivesaltes


LOCATION:
Rivesaltes (FR)

ARCHITECT:
Rudy Ricciotti Architecte

MODEL:
Custom

MORE INFO:
CLIENT:  www.memorialcamprivestaltes.eu
ARCHITECT: www.rudyricciotti.com
ASSOCIATED ARCHITECTS:
www.passelac-roques-architectes.fr

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A witness to some of the twentieth century’s darkest moments – the Spanish Civil War, World War II, the Algerian War of Independence – the Camp de Rivesaltes occupies a unique and important place in French history. A former military camp (Camp Joffre), a camp for Spanish refugees, the largest internment camp in Southern France in 1941 and 1942, an internment camp for German prisoners of war and collaborators, and the primary relocation centre for Harkis and their families its history is unique.

In order to tell this story, a memorial designed by architect Rudy Ricciotti and the agenc Passelac & Roques, opened its doors on 16 October 2015. Built on the former block F of the camp, in the middle of the existing buildings, the memorial, measuring 4,000 sqm, provides an authoritative account of the history of the forced displacement and subjugation of populations. It is also a place where visitors may cultivate the memory of all those who once passed through its doors.

It all began in the mid 1993, with the publication of the Journal de Rivesaltes 1941-1942 (Diary of Rivesaltes), written by Friedel Bohny-Reiter, a nurse working with a Swiss relief organization for children. In 1994, a monument was erected in memory of Jews deported from the Camp de Rivesaltes to Auschwitz, with another monument being erected in December 1995 in honour of the Harkis. This was followed by another commemorative monument in 1999, in homage to the Spanish Republicans.

“We cannot remain detached from the history of the Camp Joffre through a discourse that is indifferent to the human drama that unfolded on this very site,” writes Rudy Ricciotti. The memorial is silent and oppressive: it lies in the earth, squarely facing block F, a monolith of ochre-coloured concrete, untouchable, angled towards the sky. At once buried in, and emerging from the earth, the memorial appears on the surface of the natural landscape as one enters the camp, and stretches to the eastern extremity of the former meeting place, to a height that is level with the roofs of the existing buildings. This arrangement or co-visibility doesn’t hinder a reading of the features of block F. The effects of erosion over time are noticeable in some of the buildings, thereby marking erasure and absence, questioning the visitor regarding memory or oblivion. The site has been reclaimed by a tenacious and spontaneous vegetation. The project has altered none of this. If anything, it has been showcased, forming a natural backdrop to an exterior pathway where visitors can stroll freely. An environment propitious to meditation and serenity…

From the pathway, the visitor arrives at the entrance and discovers a silent monument, aligned with block F. Access to the memorial is indirect, via a ramp that is partially buried in the ground, thereby sanctifying the megalith, and becoming the stepping stone to a journey through time. This tunnel ends abruptly: the visitor finds himself facing a block that is 240 meters long, opaque and timeless, just a few meters from where he stands. The lobby is enveloped in a soft lighting and a calm and serene atmosphere reigns. Propitious to a visit. Opposite the lobby is a long wall, devoid of any elements or decor, in which a passageway is situated. A kind of enigma. Once within, the visitor finds himself in a unique space.

He can see small chinks of light skimming the ground and the surface of the ochre concrete walls. The atmosphere is heavy and solemn. It is a long passageway, relatively narrow. Visitors move forward, curious, until they reach the exhibition space. The temporary and permanent exhibition spaces are arranged around a large pillared hall, artificially lit from the ground, with large-sized images projected onto vertical concrete walls.

The program divides the building into four entities: the first part is dedicated to a research documentation center and teaching that takes advantage of the light of a large patio; the second is occupied by the public reception areas, changing rooms & toilets, but also a bookshop and a cafe where one takes the time to reflect and to think of a time not so long; the third part in the plan houses the offices but is mostly bordered by the entrance hall designed like a real dive into history and the exhibition occupies a large room with spectacular dimensions fourth part plan.

In accordance with the sobriety of the project we were asked to develop a custom design bench for the conference room: oak wood mounted on a rectangular metal structure with seat & back upholstered in leather.

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