Isère Departmental Archives

Saint-Martin-d’Hères, France

This archive building will be a symbol of the department. We sought to express this identity in a strong and immediate way.

Using the map of the département as a starting point, we created a grid pattern that we applied to the façade and interior of the project. While the vertical sections are reminiscent of a mountain landscape, the ceilings of the interior spaces illustrate the geography of Isère, its valleys, its relief and its highly contrasting characteristics.

We wanted to express this exceptionally rich morphological identity for France. Our project is an architectural metaphor for this exceptional biogeographical nature. That’s why this building is not generic, but the expression of a site, of a department, through a strong and obvious graphic narrative. Here, a part of the Isère region is put into architecture.

Program
Construction of the Isère Departmental Archives + logistics areas + offices + public reception areas + staff accommodation

Location
Archives départementales de l’Isère
ZAC des Glairons
Saint-Martin-d’Hères, France

Schedule
Competition: 2016

Client
Département de l'Isère

Project management
Lead architect: Hamonic+Masson & Associés

Engineering
All trades: SIBAT

Landscape designer
Base

Renderings
Luxigon

Floor Area 
17 728m²