Design: Du Besset-Lyon Architectes



Médiathèque to Lisieux
Client : City of Lisieux
Site : place de la République – 14000 LISIEUX
Competition : February 2003
Program : - RDC : reception, showroom, consultation newspaper
- R - 1 : room of reading, disco / vidéo, auditorium
- R + 1 : space for child, administration
Construction : october 2000 – december 2001
Surface area : 1 900 m²
Cost : 2.90 M€ ht
Team: Engineers: PROJETUD



The Lisieux médiathèque is situated in a busy street. Its urban setting is quite harsh, being part of the reconstruction of the city after the world war two.



Remains of a Roman road, 2,5 meters below ground, had to be preserved, and the urban regulation commanded that the roof be sloped.



So as to not disturb the commercial activities, the médiathèque stands like a transparent pavilion. It does not stop the passer-by’s views at the ground floor. Cultural and commercial activities don’t compete.



The main reading room is below ground so as to take distance from the street and at the same time be part of the urban activities. The atmosphere of the reading-room which is surrounded by bookshelves is surprisingly calm although the readers are clearly situated in the middle of the city.



The Roman road is integrated into the floor of the reading-room, it enriches the everyday life of the building.



The children library is nested under the roof.



The roof is made of aluminium panels. Its design and colour are slightly extravagant and offer an alternative to the strictness of the surroundings

Lisieux Médiathèque images / text from Du Besset-Lyon Architectes 040708



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Lisieux France Building : page - adrian welch / isabelle lomholt