The project is an interior renovation of an existing
building and seeks to establish a coherent whole operation by adapting
the program to the needs and uses of new users. The intervention is
essentially a reorganization of interior spaces, limiting interventions
on buildings and ensuring optimization of quality and comfort of use.
The general principles of circulation of the old building are maintained
and adapted to the standards required by the change of destination.

To
provide a spatial quality and attractiveness to the central atrium, the
“hanging boxes” are deposited along the passageways in level 1 and
level 2. They are spaces of conviviality and collaboration between
students, teachers, and administration. The staggered views offers a
real centrality to what was previously a simple empty. These entities
are involved in both the formation of identity and its new usability.

The
Building takes place on the site “Agroparc Avignon”, near the
University and student services, including the University Restaurant.
The building is involved in the operation is an office building in level
3 previously occupied by services of the Regional Directorate of France
Telecom.

The rehabilitation project intends to give an overall
consistency in building operation by adapting the program to the needs
and uses of new users.
The work involves a reorganization of interior
spaces, limiting interventions on buildings and ensuring optimization
of quality and comfort of use. The exterior of the building has been
preserved, only a fire escape is added on the “pinion” fronts to meet
safety standards. In addition, the work was to compliance the building
both in terms of standards with disabilities (physical, visual,
auditory) and technical standards.

The building is divided into
three distinct parts, a linear part Northwest, South-eastern part of
curved shape, and a south-western part of triangular shape. It has an
area of 6830 square meters. The main entrance is located on the
north-western part. A curtain wall curved back cover acts. The Southeast
side welcomes an atrium in the center of the entire height of the
building, and is lit by skylights in the roof. These areas feature
classrooms. The southwestern part extends mainly ground floor, only
certain technical areas are level 1.

Reinvest a place, offer it an open and welcoming image.

The
general principles of circulation of the old building are preserved and
adapted to the standards required by the change of destination.

To
provide a spatial quality and attractiveness to the central atrium, the
“hanging boxes” are deposited along the passageways in level 1 and
level 2. They are spaces of conviviality and collaboration between
students, teachers, and administration. The staggered views of space
offers a real centrality to what was previously a single empty.

A
new visible signage, efficient and attractive joins the establishment.
Inside the building, there is a hierarchical development allowing the
information to be transmitted to users, from home to various premises,
services or entities. Each level is indicated by a different color from
yellow to purple. A specific typeface is applied to all directions of
the building.

The existing building has in its composition a
strong horizontal and dominant façade which is voiced by headbands
windows, horizontal sun and breezes. These horizontal lines are directly
integrated in the project through the front design of the fire escape
added at the end of the north-western part. It was the only added
element and changing facades. Which appeared first as a constraint was a
major rewrite of the project asset. This is thanks to a game of
transparency, this relatively flat facade was put into perspective by
working on the colors of the adjacent rooms. And a set thickness and
depth were made to transform the image of the building without changing
the existing facades. These entities and specific devices involved in
both the formation of identity, but also the usability of the newly
found place.

Agency presentation

After more than ten years of
close collaboration, Elodie Nourrigat, Jacques Brion and Romain Jamot
architects have created the agency NBJ in 2013 in Montpellier. This
comes from the combination of two structures, N+B Architects, which was
founded by Elodie Nourrigat and Jacques Brion in 2000 and Romain Jamot
Architects, established in 2003. All three are graduates of the Ecole
Nationale Superieure d’Architecture de Montpellier (ENSAM) and Elodie
Nourrigat and Jacques Brion obtained in 2002 a Master of Philosophy
degree. Elodie Nourrigat has obtained in 2011 a PhD in Architecture.
They are also teachers at the Ecole Nationale Superieure d’Architecture
de Montpellier (ENSAM). The current structure of the agency brings a
structured team of professionals with expertise in architecture, urban
planning, sustainable environmental issues and engaging in programs to
explore new way of project development. Their projects join different
scales, whether architectural or urban.Their work has been recognized
through various awards. In September 2008, they were invited to the 11th
Architectural Biennale in Venice in the French Pavilion. The same year,
they were awarded by the prize “Europe 40 under 40”, price
distinguishing the top 40 agencies under 40 years in Europe. The project
of the Activity Park of Camalcé in Gignac, was distinguished by the ”
International Award 2009 ” price, attributed by  the Chicago Athenaeum
Museum. They carry their education abroad, whether is at  Laval
University in Quebec City (Canada), RMIT in Melbourne (Australia), Tohku
University in Sendai (Japan), College of Design at the University of
Kentucky (USA) . Invested in the dissemination of architecture culture,
they create and organize since 2006, the Festival Architecture Vives,
which invites young architects to intervene in the courtyards of
mansions in Montpellier city and in the city of La Grande Motte.

Data sheet

Official name: GIPES – Institut de Formation des Professionnels de la Santé
Location: 740 chemin des Meinajariès – 84907 AVIGNON Cedex
Client: Région PACA – Direction des Lycée
Program: Institut de Formation des Professionnels de la Santé
Architects:
Elodie NOURRIGAT/Jacques BRION/Romain JAMOT– NBJ Architectes
Project Area: 6 830 sqm
Cost: 3 Millions € HT
Delivery date: December  2012
Photo  credit (s):
Paul KOZLOWSKI
©photoarchitecture
website: www.photoarchitecture.com