Nation Center for Choreographic Development, Val-de-Marne, La Briqueterie
Putting the National Centre for Choreographic Development in Val-de-Marne in the former Gournay brickworks created a space for the Val-de-Marne Biennial for Contemporary Dance to make its work more permanent and reinforce its role at the local, national and international levels.
Dominique Blanchon, project manager
In-folio paysagistes, Landscaper
AGP, Acoustician
GEC Ingénierie, Construction economist
Bureau Bancon, Structure engineering firm
Extension 1 500 sqm
The former Gournay brickworks is a high-quality piece of industrial architecture with important heritage value. Building a centre for choreography here enriches an urban development project that already featured new housing. In involved deliberately choosing to create an inward-facing space with a garden at the heart of the block. This would give the surrounding homes generous views of the landscaped grounds used by the choreographic centre. Another deliberate choice was to create more breathing room for the street. The boundary wall was demolished to widen the pavement, turning it into a forecourt for the performance studio. A final goal was to make the centre visible from the boulevard. As both a contemporary counterpoint to the chimney of the old brickworks and a robust urban landmark, the freight-lift shaft would be extended upward with illuminated signage.