Vandoeuvre is a suburb of Nancy. Mainly built in the 50’s and 60’s it houses a large concentration of multi storey public housing.

To palliate the hardness of the environment and the increasing problem of vandalism, the mayor of Vandoeuvre decided to invest into a major cultural facility.

The “mediatheque”, so called because it concerns not only books but all medias including magazines, newspapers, TV programs, videos, music and art gallery.

The projects offer 5 levels of library and a concert hall in the basement. The different sections are organised freely in the main space, a volume of 45x50mx20m high. Each floor integrates generous voids so one always has the perception of the whole. The main facade opens onto a large parvis. Along the boulevard elements turning with the wind creates a kinetic effect responding to the cars passing by.

Location: Vandoeuvre, Nancy, France 48°39’47.08″N, 6°10’22.34″E
Client: Ville de Vandoeuvre
Date: 1997
Design team: Lacoste+Stevenson in association with Vincent Hubert
Photopgrahy/images: Lacoste+Stevenson Architects