Agora appeared in the northern part of the city of Metz, away from the city center and its most famous building today - the Shigeru Bana branch of the Pompidou Center. But around the "Agora" there is a residential area undergoing complex renovation, and a new cultural and social center there is in great demand. Therefore, the themes of openness, transparency (readability of the program from the outside), accessibility and usefulness for citizens of all ages have become key themes for Ropa & Associés architects.
However, the openness of the building varies depending on the context: from the north, the site is bordered by the railway, and here the building borrows the appropriate "formal vocabulary". So, windows reminiscent of carriages, when viewed from the inside, frame the passing trains - about 230 per day. But, of course, the issue of acoustics was the most important here. The facade with a minimum of openings and additional protection does not allow noise to penetrate inside. The architects thought not only about the sound of the wheels, but also about the reflection of this sound from the wall of the "Agora", so the facade here is made sloping to minimize the echo effect.
On the south side, on the contrary, the complex opens out into a spacious courtyard with a screen on its most noticeable part - a bright red cube. Here you can arrange film screenings, broadcasts of sports events and concerts. The facades on this side are glazed, along them there are galleries, and a strong roof overhang protects both premises and public space from the sun. Any shortage of natural light in the interior will be eliminated by light wells.
The ground floor houses a café for meetings of neighboring organizations, reading and study areas, a dining room and a culinary workshop. The atrium unites all tiers; there is a panoramic lift and stairs. An auditorium with a wide range of functions is hidden in the red cube. Above are the fitness center, reading area, multimedia spaces, workshop type
Fab-Lab and Art Gallery. At the very top is a reading room for adults, and the adjacent roof has been converted into an experimental garden. External staircases and bridges complement the building as an "attraction" for walking among the treetops.
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zooming 1/6 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 2/6 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 3/6 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 4/6 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 5/6 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 6/6 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 1/7 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 2/7 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 3/7 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 4/7 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 5/7 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 6/7 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 7/7 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
Among the materials used, wood occupies a special place - both in natural color and painted, like the above-mentioned red cube. Agora is certified under the Certivéa Resource Efficiency Assessment System.
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zooming 1/5 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 2/5 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 3/5 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 4/5 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 5/5 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 1/8 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 2/8 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 3/8 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 4/8 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 5/8 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 6/8 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 7/8 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 8/8 Agora Community Center Photo © Luc Boegly
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zooming 1/4 Agora Community Center © Ropa & Associés Architectes
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zooming 2/4 Agora Community Center © Ropa & Associés Architectes
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zooming 3/4 Agora Community Center © Ropa & Associés Architectes
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zooming 4/4 Agora Community Center © Ropa & Associés Architectes
