SUIVANT
2004 | 2004
Dominican convent St Marie de Prouilhe
Fanjeaux, France
The development of the great parvis organizes and clarifies the symbolic value of the basilica and monastery. On this great square, the basilica is at the right and unified itself to nuns, pilgrims and visitors.
Inside the Basilica, the project is clearly positioned in relation with the existing context, according to today requirements: the protected but welcoming areas, conducive to prayer and to the offices of the community of sisters, but also generous open spaces for pilgrims and Sunday services.
This shell, this new chapel, can restore unity to the whole site of the Basilica and creates three places of worship, each with its own identity:
- The Basilica with his heart located in the open shell
- St. Dominic Chapel behind the concha
- The place of prayer in the old chapel
These new high-quality spaces don't attract only pilgrims and visitors for a one-time visit, but offer places for different activities.
The conch, closed for nuns offices, opens, as open arms to the world, during Sunday services or for any other event requiring accommodate more visitors.
The conch establishes a dialectic with the Basilica, with the stone and with its history.
The history and the present coexist, each respecting the life and quality of the other. The Basilica with its powerful stone architecture, the shell, humble but present dwith its wooden architecture and its location in the heart of the basilica.
The conch is naturally lit by a system of "windows" overlooking the basilica. These openings are arranged for the quality of inner light and they are particulary in relation with Sainte-Marie de Prouihle.
The front of the gilded wooden shell recalls the wooden stalls of the monastery.
Structurally, shell doors are based on a system of ball bearings, which allow easy opening and closing doors. Facades are carrying by their wooden structure.
To conclude with the genesis of this project, the work of installing a chapel, a shell in the heart of the Basilica of Prouihle, is in reference to the chapel in honor of St. Francis in the Assisi Basilica.
Inside the Basilica, the project is clearly positioned in relation with the existing context, according to today requirements: the protected but welcoming areas, conducive to prayer and to the offices of the community of sisters, but also generous open spaces for pilgrims and Sunday services.
This shell, this new chapel, can restore unity to the whole site of the Basilica and creates three places of worship, each with its own identity:
- The Basilica with his heart located in the open shell
- St. Dominic Chapel behind the concha
- The place of prayer in the old chapel
These new high-quality spaces don't attract only pilgrims and visitors for a one-time visit, but offer places for different activities.
The conch, closed for nuns offices, opens, as open arms to the world, during Sunday services or for any other event requiring accommodate more visitors.
The conch establishes a dialectic with the Basilica, with the stone and with its history.
The history and the present coexist, each respecting the life and quality of the other. The Basilica with its powerful stone architecture, the shell, humble but present dwith its wooden architecture and its location in the heart of the basilica.
The conch is naturally lit by a system of "windows" overlooking the basilica. These openings are arranged for the quality of inner light and they are particulary in relation with Sainte-Marie de Prouihle.
The front of the gilded wooden shell recalls the wooden stalls of the monastery.
Structurally, shell doors are based on a system of ball bearings, which allow easy opening and closing doors. Facades are carrying by their wooden structure.
To conclude with the genesis of this project, the work of installing a chapel, a shell in the heart of the Basilica of Prouihle, is in reference to the chapel in honor of St. Francis in the Assisi Basilica.
client Community of the Dominican Sisters of Prouilhe
location Fanjeaux, France
program
Global rehabilitation of the Basilica for its 8ooth anniversary in 2006
• rehabilitation of the space for the celebrations to be able to accomodate a small community, or large groups from 250 to 1500 people
• restructuring of spaces of reception for every type of public: members of the community, religious visitors or tourists : Entry, museum spaces,
shop, seminary and meeting halls, parking, cafeteria
• restructuring of spaces dedicated to the community: access and circulation in the monastery and its specific areas
location Fanjeaux, France
program
Global rehabilitation of the Basilica for its 8ooth anniversary in 2006
• rehabilitation of the space for the celebrations to be able to accomodate a small community, or large groups from 250 to 1500 people
• restructuring of spaces of reception for every type of public: members of the community, religious visitors or tourists : Entry, museum spaces,
shop, seminary and meeting halls, parking, cafeteria
• restructuring of spaces dedicated to the community: access and circulation in the monastery and its specific areas
