
This last is accomplished by copying a Hausmanian building on the Champs Elysees and creating its replica in a moulded concrete facade.

Given that this articulated facade doesn't relate to the interior rooms, openings are punched into the concrete wherever necessary, creating a mash of (traced) old and new.

This concept is a very intriguing approach for relating to, and integrating with, historical buildings. It falls somewhere between contemporary buildings that strive for contrast and neo-traditional buildings that use less-literal means of copying. Reminiscent of artwork by Rachel Whiteread, it's a design that I hope receives widespread press when complete, as it's an idea ripe for discussion if not replication.
Links:
:: Groupe Lucien Barriere
:: Eduard Francois
I'll be interested in seeing this complete. From the pictures you show I think it's a really lazy approach to solving the context problem.
ReplyDeleteIn fact it doesn't solve it at all really.
Awful, like some discarded shell that has been colonised, where is the courage to do a real building not some copy made of stamped concrete.
ReplyDeleteA disgrace.
very very weird.. I don't like the idea at all
ReplyDeleteHector
very very weird. I love it!
ReplyDeleteI visited this project and thought it actually worked quite well considering its context.
ReplyDelete