Jean-Pierre Lott Architecte complete sports and culture complex in France

In Vélizy-Villacoublay, north France, the complex ‘Espace Jean-Lucien Vazeille’ was completed in 2021. 

Covering an area of 9,000 sq m, the site features a curved façade which stands in stark contrast to the gridwork aesthetic of the nearby towers, signifying this as a public facility. 

Initially the nearby Louvois neighbourhood was built quickly to facilitate housing needs. Today the area is undergoing a vast transformation and restructuring to better suit the needs of residents. 

The building is designed around an atrium which links to all levels of the building. With an internal ramp throughout the entire building, access can be provided for all who wish to visit.

Each of the spaces within offers various activities such as dance studios and multisport rooms, and each of these have windows which overlook the area below. This offers visitors a direct preview of the sports that are available. 

The curvature of the structure also signifies freedom and movement and is designed to evoke an emotional response. The dynamism within the design also serves as a reflection of the sports activities that take place inside. 

Concrete is relatively cheap and easy to construct with, which makes it a favourite material for quickly building locations such as Louvois. Here the building makes use of the technical capabilities of concrete, namely its moldability and its durability.