Year: 2018
Status: Completed
Location: Villecien, FR
As part of an ongoing renovation of the dépendence at a Burgundy château, Longue Durée presents the opportunity for a slowly unfolding design played out over an indeterminate period of time. Construction and renovation will occur through a series of phases, each presenting the ability to reassess and alter the design based on continually changing use. Thus the end users directly participate in the act of design; the material determinants of the building will be reshaped by the immaterial forces of collective activity. Beyond the projected use of the space, the process of construction itself is dependent on a co-operative relationship between architect and builder. Given that much of the structure is original 18th century construction, local builders and experts familiar with traditional techniques were brought in to consult on the renovation. The desire was less to restore the building to a pristine state, but instead embrace its current condition as an asset in understanding the history of the structure. Additional design occurs through the insertion of modern day industrial elements and materials such as stairs, windows, light fixtures, doors, or structure that attempt to negotiate the irregularity of the existing spaces. Freed from their original agricultural functions livestock stalls, haylofts, feed rooms, and drive bays are opened to provide a variety of large-scale spaces for collective use.
Status: Completed
Location: Villecien, FR
As part of an ongoing renovation of the dépendence at a Burgundy château, Longue Durée presents the opportunity for a slowly unfolding design played out over an indeterminate period of time. Construction and renovation will occur through a series of phases, each presenting the ability to reassess and alter the design based on continually changing use. Thus the end users directly participate in the act of design; the material determinants of the building will be reshaped by the immaterial forces of collective activity. Beyond the projected use of the space, the process of construction itself is dependent on a co-operative relationship between architect and builder. Given that much of the structure is original 18th century construction, local builders and experts familiar with traditional techniques were brought in to consult on the renovation. The desire was less to restore the building to a pristine state, but instead embrace its current condition as an asset in understanding the history of the structure. Additional design occurs through the insertion of modern day industrial elements and materials such as stairs, windows, light fixtures, doors, or structure that attempt to negotiate the irregularity of the existing spaces. Freed from their original agricultural functions livestock stalls, haylofts, feed rooms, and drive bays are opened to provide a variety of large-scale spaces for collective use.