The BLACK HOLE...
The unknown
The Planetarium is a wonderful place, it offers through a defined space, the possibility to see the infinitely large as well as the infinitely small. This relationship between man and the universe allows visitors to take a different look at our universe while participating in its discovery, but mainly to popularize it and try to understand its infinity. Within the framework of our existence, it is a question of putting a marker in the evolution of the comprehension of this infinite, a simple marker, which numerically is only a simple pixel in the vast image of the known universe. The recent discovery of celestial objects of unsuspected size such as Himiko, a celestial object still unknown, gives us a tiny measure of this relationship that we have with the unknown.
It is in the measure of this immensity, of the relation of the man to the universe, in the wonder of our intimately small world and our infinitely large universe, that we approached the Planetarium project. It is with a child's eye, an adult's eye, with a current or future understanding of the universe that our project has developed...
Our approach was dictated by various considerations: that of not inscribing an articulated object in a site already strongly marked by the presence of existing buildings, that of not conflicting with the existing places but rather adding a building that would contribute to them, like a unifying central core, that of creating a place of wonder, of discovery, of stimulation, of learning, even outside the limits of the building.
Exploration
Absence and presence. Our approach is to introduce nothing into the site, at the level of the pedestrian, and to improve the permeability and the conditions of appropriation of the square for all visitors (Biôdome, Stadium, Planetarium etc.). Our objective is to create sub-spaces and comfortable places so that this vast esplanade can be used for activities at the stadium and become a vast piazza. A new sub-space esplanade is created, in the continuity of the sports field.
But what about the building? All speculations are allowed...
Our solution is to materialize the project in an object, which by its great apparent simplicity, would become just as strong and striking as the presence of the neighboring buildings. A strong but also immaterial object, both present and absent, a mysterious and intriguing object as is the infinity of space. An object that forces the visitor to approach and to move away in order to understand its mechanism, to change his perception, to discover it.
Here, the Planetarium does not borrow the vocabulary of the stadium or its environment, it must be totally timeless. Isn't time on the scale of the universe infinite? To mark a time in this evolution, to take up a vocabulary or a reading of a place would be to deny the infinite. It must be an intriguing object, while respecting the modern organic approach of Taillebert's work.
One of the most mysterious celestial objects, but also one of the most powerful: a black hole...
Black hole, because it represents the absolute unknown, one of the ultimate forces of the universe, but mainly because its existence is linked to a non-existence, and that through space, it is an attractive object... Here, through a non-existence, the place becomes strong, stimulating, and present...
The discovery
This black hole, materializes in a simple cube, covered on all its faces with a smooth black facing, reflecting its context. Sensor of the space, the light slides on it or seems to be totally absorbed by it according to the approach of the visitor or the moment of the day. The object makes an event and already brings the first reflections of the visitor. The object does not touch the ground, it is completely detached from the large square, in a state of almost weightlessness. The work on the glass of the basilaire allows to play on the perception of the volume. Upon arrival at the site, the object testifies to its function and allows itself to be discovered. The monolith however deforms itself, inexorably attracted towards the interior forces, those of the theaters. Its facades fold back in certain places, thus engaging in a subtle dialogue with the interior and the surrounding context. They capture the light differently and reflect or absorb the context. While remaining inscribed in the cube, the deformations are inscribed in the context.
The position of the project as well as its deformations allow the reinforcement of visual corridors, both from the arrival of the eastern parking lot, and from the arrival to the south. While remaining a striking object, its form frames and directs visitors. The visual clearance towards the stadium entrance is reinforced, as well as the access to the Biodome, the withdrawal of the Planetarium towards the northern portion of the site allows to keep the maximum of sunlight on the forecourt throughout the day.
The forecourt is organized as a huge piazza. Under the cube, all the public functions come to participate in the animation of a currently too empty square. The reception functions have been positioned in such a way as to contribute to the place and encourage its appropriation. In addition to contributing to urban animation, this space offers great flexibility for the functions it houses. Under the immense monolith, in the evening, depending on the activities taking place there, the volume of the café lights up, thus contributing to mark the place. The store acts in the same way, no other light emanates from the place, the simplicity of the lighting allows to create a luminous scenography as soon as the project is discovered.
The experience
As soon as the groups enter level 100, a true link between the Planetarium and the Biodome, the visitor is immediately plunged into an immersive experience. Going beyond the simple functional link, this forecourt of man in the heart of the earth, is a real place of learning. The visitor is then faced with the large green window of the LIVING MACHINE TM, both lung and grey water treatment system.
A huge, monumental staircase leads the visitor to the Copernicus' inner forecourt, under the large volume. Spectacular, this access allows the visitor to leave the world of the earth to approach that of the stars. The interior forecourt, in compression, is this transition, an interface, between the two worlds.
From there, under the cube, the visitor is irremediably drawn towards the glow of an immense vortex linking the interior space to the exterior space: an important dilation of space and time where the roof of the cube and the ceiling of the forecourt fold in, interconnecting together and thus eliminating all limits. This vortex is oriented towards the polar star through the whole cube. Its attractive effect, due to its spectacular and intriguing side, allows visitors to gather naturally near the Planetarium's reception services (ticketing, store, etc.). The visitor's gaze is immediately drawn towards the stars, through this interconnection which will be present throughout his visit. Looking up to the sky to see further, something we so often forget to do.
Inside, the visitor's experience continues when he discovers the circular ramp and the store area. This colored object induces the visitor to continue his spatial experience by making him penetrate inside the cube. From then on, he leaves the terrestrial world to enter an exciting place, rushing into the unknown. This progression, from the outside to the space of the cube, allows a luminous transition between the two universes in a gradual way. We are embarked! The process of exploration started, long architectural walk, allows to bring the visitor in a state of wonder, even of weightlessness. As soon as he crosses the limit of the ceiling of the basilaire on level 200, he is welcomed by projections on the ceiling where already, the notions of limits of space are no longer the same. He walks along the first sphere - theater; reflecting sphere through a narrow ramp that will project him into the heart of the cube, in total immersion in the space where man is at the heart of the universe.
The whole discovery approach is based on the notion of immersion, in the sense that it is important for us that the places are not a succession of rooms or spaces, but a vast interconnected place, like the universe. A long scenography that can be modified, adapted to the activities taking place there.
The material
The materiality of the project must absolutely contribute to the visitor's experience. Here, it brings the reflection on the notion of emptiness, the importance of light and the glance. It thus contributes to this important fiction by defining it itself. This is why the entire volume is treated with a black satin aluminum cladding, allowing the importance of light to be fully understood. Black, because the object will seem to disappear at times, because the object will reflect the sunlight depending on the angle at which the approach is made. Black, because it leaves room for imagination and discovery, but also, because this black allows the installation of a vast interior exhibition scenography where projections and light will be mixed. Black, because from the stadium, the Planetarium becomes a simple cube, a monolith, a small pixel of emptiness to be discovered one day, like the small dark spot in the heart of a photograph of a galaxy that one day will perhaps turn out to be a black hole, or a formidable universe, who knows?
(From competitor's text)
(Unofficial automated translation)
Strengths:
The creation of a black box offers a beautiful transition between the brightness of the day and the darkness of the sky.
The jury emphasizes the exceptional spatial quality as well as the sculptural quality and its spectacular response to the site.
The treatment of the building envelope offers an interesting potential for the play of light, depending on the time of day and the amount of sunlight.
The transparency of the 200 level contributes to the dynamism of the ground plan. Although questionable, the black hole symbolism is bold and well resolved at this stage of the project.
The exhibition hall, spread over several levels, adds to the spatial quality.
The jury highlights the maturity of the team and the quality of the presentation.
Weaknesses:
The architectural design imposes a rigid approach, while creating a major constraint for the animation of the Planetarium.
The obligatory sequence of circulation of visits between the two theaters constrains the programming and operation of the two theaters.
The intercommunication and the opening of the spaces in the interior volume pose serious problems of acoustic treatment during the visit of groups and for the animation.
In terms of sustainable development, several selected strategies are questionable including the "Living Machine" due to the presence of municipal services, as well as the points of innovation.
The party does not propose any restoration of the site's already deficient vegetation.
(From jury report)
(Unofficial automated translation)
54 scanned / 33 viewable
- Presentation Panel
- Presentation Panel
- Presentation Panel
- Presentation Panel
- Photomontage
- Perspective
- Perspective
- Perspective
- Schema
- Plan
- Plan
- Plan
- Plan
- Plan
- Axonometric Drawing
- Section
- Section
- Elevation
- Elevation
- Elevation
- Elevation
- Presentation Panel
- Perspective
- Perspective
- Perspective
- Plan
- Plan
- Plan
- Plan
- Section
- Section
- Axonometric Drawing
- Descriptive Chart
