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Bastide d’Olette – House of the Regional Natural Catalan Pyrenean Park

Bastide d’Olette – House of the Regional Natural Catalan Pyrenean Park
© Nicolas Castes

BASTIDE D’OLETTE – HOUSE OF THE REGIONAL NATURAL CATALAN PYRENEAN PARK

INCA Architectes

ENGINEER
Betem

MANUFACTURERS
Isocell, Stabalux, Vmzinc

CLIENT
Parc Naturel Régional Des Pyrénées Catalanes

ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
Gilles Marty

LANDSCAPE
ALEP

PHOTOGRAPHS
Nicolas Castets

AREA
700 M²

YEAR
2015

LOCATION
Olette, France

CATEGORY
Park, Houses

Text description provided by architect.

In the heart of the Catalan Pyrenees regional park, a spectacular landscape opens on the valley which shelters the "Bastide d'Olette" where the "Maison du Parc" ("park's house") is located.

Bastide d’Olette – House of the Regional Natural Catalan Pyrenean Park
© Nicolas Castes
Bastide d’Olette – House of the Regional Natural Catalan Pyrenean Park
© Nicolas Castes

Three stories are superimposed: the one of the medieval castle, built in the heart of the valley, the one of the mining exploitation of the territory from which materials were treated on site and the contemporary history lead by the Maison du parc (park & house).

The historical richness of the site where time has left its distinctive print calls for a sober vision of architecture linked with the sense of the place. The building slots into this protective enclosure and has a delicate discussion with it.

Respect of what is existing is the driving force of the project. A new structure is conceived within a patrimonial frame which is the building work of the farmhouse.

Bastide d’Olette – House of the Regional Natural Catalan Pyrenean Park
© Nicolas Castes
Bastide d’Olette – House of the Regional Natural Catalan Pyrenean Park
© Nicolas Castes

A central line follows on from the Maison du Parc (park & house), this axis articulates the different circulations and insccribes the architectural project in a coherent and global vision on a site scale.

With a view to harmony with the environing landscape, we imagined a building which composition lines answer subtely the existing building profile.

The protective roof with large fascias offers a global unity. This light and aerial roofing seems to float delicately above work spaces. This roof is raised which allows a very clear readability of the new elements of the project compared to the existing ones.

The contemporary envelope of the building is both dynamic and unifying. Its vertical rythm, sometimes filled, sometimes empty, generates a transparency and a fluidity of views which allow us to see the existing walls at any time.

Bastide d’Olette – House of the Regional Natural Catalan Pyrenean Park
© Nicolas Castes
Bastide d’Olette – House of the Regional Natural Catalan Pyrenean Park
© Nicolas Castes

The project includes wooden motorized, pliable, sliding shutters which will be integrated on the Eastern and Western facades. Therefore, this mechanism regulates solar inputs and avoids summer overheat.

On the North side, all technical functions (heating, archives, storage...) are gathered around a technical delivery parvis. On the South side, on the opposite, a terrace enables to enlarge more user-friendly spaces. The meeting room, which is very ajustable is linked with the parvis and the South terrace. The staff premises are heading towards an enclosed garden.

Bastide d’Olette – House of the Regional Natural Catalan Pyrenean Park
© Nicolas Castes
Bastide d’Olette – House of the Regional Natural Catalan Pyrenean Park
© Nicolas Castes

The work spaces are organized on a single plateau to favour exhanges. This configuration offers a huge flexibility. Each space is extended towards the outside either physically or visually by visual openings which lead into the different faces of the site.


Bastide d’Olette – House of the Regional Natural Catalan Pyrenean Park
Plan
Bastide d’Olette – House of the Regional Natural Catalan Pyrenean Park
Section C-C'


Bastide d’Olette – House of the Regional Natural Catalan Pyrenean Park
Elevation North Facade
Bastide d’Olette – House of the Regional Natural Catalan Pyrenean Park
East facade elevation
Bastide d’Olette – House of the Regional Natural Catalan Pyrenean Park
West facade elevation
Bastide d’Olette – House of the Regional Natural Catalan Pyrenean Park
South facade elevation

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