WINNER RESTORING - COMMERCIAL
La Cité
Toulouse , France
by Taillandier Architectes Associés
The 14,000 m ² “ La Cité ” project is the result of the conversion of the former Latécoère warehouse into a place dedicated to collaborative and sustainable innovation . Built between 1917 and 1918 , these warehouses bear witness of the aeronautic beginnings in Toulouse . They housed the first war planes , then commercial and airmail planes , before being used as warehouses . Despite their destruction in 1944 and successive rehabilitations , the site retains several remarkable structures , including the three industrial halls listed as historic monuments . The building is also listed as part of the intangible heritage of the industrial history of aeronautics in Toulouse .
“ La Cité ”, designed by the Taillandier Architectes Associés in collaboration with P . Caillault , architect of the “ Monuments Historiques ”, revives the original spirit of the place . Three contiguous naves , with a total length of 120 m and a span of 25 m , make up the market building . According to archive photos , the main façades were described as a triptych of arched openings in each of the naves .
The new envelope is designed in this spirit with a contemporary reinterpretation . It is adorned with 2,400 m ² of GEODE aluminium curtain walls , combined with aluminium blades , including 2,000 m ² of SUNEAL sun shading . At the rear , 1100 m ² of SUNEAL sun shading were custom designed from two assembled profiles , one 30 cm and one 10 cm , forming a hollow to reveal arches . The side façade alternates posts and openings ( doors and windows ) SOLEAL . These TECHNAL frames are also clad with vertical SUNEAL sun shading . They provide direct lighting in the southwest facing offices while maintaining the full / empty rhythm .
Above the entrance , these sun shading blades are horizontal to create a marquee that highlights the access to “ La Cité ”. The curtain walls are installed over a height of 15 m , without intermediate support . Their profiles are 100 mm wide in order to take up the required wind load .
All TECHNAL profiles are made of natural aluminium , echoing the aeronautical industry . The central hall offers a large open space dedicated to events and a palm grove in homage to the pioneers of the airmail who served distant lands . The two side aisles have a curved reinforced concrete frame . Wooden volumes develop under these frames to accommodate coworking spaces , meeting rooms , a 200-seat amphitheatre , a restaurant , a Fablab and an aviary for drones .
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