For OPUS 5, the transformation of a cult building into a music school is a matter of course. So, a few years ago they set up such an educational institution in a 17th century monastery in northern France. Now the source material was completely different, but no less complicated. The ecumenical center (1974-1977, architect Philippe Deland) was located in the commune of Elancourt, part of the “new city” of Saint-Quentin-en-Yveslin (1970) west of Versailles. The administrative, social and cultural center of Elancourt is the Set-Mar ensemble (1970s). It combines spectacular concrete structures, including residential buildings, with structures where a concrete frame is complemented by brick walls.
These included the ecumenical center - a building, as explained by OPUS 5, typical of the period after 1968, when the influence of Louis Kahn was combined with the ideas of structuralism. Modest forms and "honest" design suited the building, which included the Reformed Church of France (now religious organizations have moved to a nearby community center). The plan was based on a module (which made it easy to adapt the building to new needs), the premises were turned inward, and the light came there only through the windows of the cleristory, so that the bustle of the city around did not interfere with the believers.
The OPUS 5 architects have retained the modular design and the key material - brick. Additional external facades are made of it: openwork masonry without mortar from handmade bricks is designed to resemble the carved musharabia gratings in the countries of Islam. On the one hand, they protect rooms where classes require silence and concentration, on the other, they make the look more spectacular, especially in the evenings, when golden light pours from inside.
Particular attention has been paid to natural light: light wells bring it inside along with the windows. The roof of the school, the fifth facade, clearly visible from the windows of the surrounding residential buildings, is painted in a deep blue - a hint of blue notes, "blues notes". With the help of the 50 m2 module, the overall structure of the building was preserved by connecting the cross-shaped concrete supports and new partitions. The layout has become more fractional, but a much larger concert hall than any of the old premises has appeared in the center.
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zooming 1/5 Elancourt School of Music Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 2/5 Elancourt School of Music Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 3/5 Elancourt School of Music Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 4/5 Elancourt School of Music Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 5/5 Elancourt School of Music Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 1/4 Elancourt School of Music Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 2/4 Elancourt School of Music Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 3/4 Elancourt School of Music Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 4/4 Elancourt School of Music Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 1/6 Elancourt School of Music Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 2/6 Elancourt School of Music Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 3/6 Elancourt School of Music Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 4/6 Elancourt School of Music Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 5/6 Elancourt School of Music Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 6/6 Elancourt School of Music Photo © Luc Boegly
