Throughout the history of Paris, Upper Marais has seen an impressive succession of buildings. It has been the site of the Knights Templar's medieval fortress, used as the Royal family's prison during the French Revolution; an 18th century Rotunda, belonging to the Order of Malta and including high-end shops; and finally, it hosted several wooden pavilions built in 1809 housing a large flea market, and later replaced by sleek iron constructions under Baron Haussmann. Two of the six pavilions have survived, after being saved in 1976 by local activists who campaigned against them being torn down for the sake of a carpark.
Listed as a historic monument soon after the demolition of the famous Grandes Halles - a major iron-and-glass oeuvre by Victor Baltard - today's Carreau du Temple, set to reopen at the end of April, is an exemplary project. Its new purpose as a mixed-use sports and cultural facility was defined by a public vote. Paris-based architecture practice Studio Milou - specialists in the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings - seamlessly integrated contemporary acoustic and insulation standards into the 19th century framework.
For lead architect Jean-François Milou, it was both a professional challenge and a matter of principle. It is, he says, 'a technical demonstration that Baltard's Halles could have been perfectly maintained.' The refined iron structure was faithfully restored to its original design. Brick infills were replaced by glazing, so that the transparent façades flood the Carreau with natural light and open it to the curious eyes of the passers-by.
The flexible interior, complete with mobile partitions and retractable stands, allows the hall to be reconfigured for everything from community events to trade shows and artistic performances. Moreover, the Carreau is set to become the centre of Paris' new fashion district and a bustling destination during prêt-à-porter weeks.
This will continue the Carreau's long-standing connection to fashion - a connection hailing from the times when the Order of Malta's privileges allowed local merchants to sell costume jewellery and Indian print cotton prohibited elsewhere in the country, and reaching well into our times when Yamamoto, Galliano and Dior Homme catwalked their collections under the old market's zinc roofs.
The main entrance opens into an immense hall suited for various events, from fairs to fashion shows, while a small auditorium and a café are located at the rear
The refined iron structure was faithfully restored to its original design
Mobile partitions allow the hall to be reconfigured for different events
Industrial oak flooring and wall panels create an elegant marquetry effect
The lower floor houses a vast lobby showing traces of old masonry, two sports grounds, and a few multifunctional spaces
Its new purpose as a mixed-use sports and cultural facility was defined by a public vote
A new roof was conceived with glass panels covered with photovoltaic cells forming designs reminiscent of pixels
To convince the heritage authorities to replace the masonry in the lower part of the building with glass, the architects suggested adding a layer of steel grills. Seen from afar, the building retains its visual unity, but upon closer inspection, the transparency increases revealing the spectacular interiors
Each section of the façade integrates a door, so that the Carreau can be fully opened towards the street
ADDRESS
Carreau du Temple
2 rue Eugène Spuller
75003 Paris
-
A celestial New York exhibition showcases Roman and Williams’ mastery of lightingLauded design studio Roman and Williams is exhibiting 100 variations of its lighting ‘family tree’ inside a historic Tribeca space
-
‘He immortalised the birth of the supermodel’: inside Dior’s career-spanning retrospective of photographer Peter LindberghOlivier Flaviano, curator and head of Paris’ La Galerie Dior, talks us through a new Peter Lindbergh retrospective, which celebrates the seminal German photographer’s longtime relationship with the French house
-
Take a bite: Laila Gohar and The Luxury Collection’s ‘Cakes & Candles’ are a sweet treat for the sensesLaila Gohar’s six cake-inspired candles draw on The Luxury Collection’s hotels around the world – where guests can enjoy matching edible confections
-
A Chinese industrial building transformation makes for a minimalist live/work spaceThe renovation of an abandoned cement factory on the southeastern coast of China by designer Wanmu Shazi resulted in a minimalist and calming live/work space
-
Villa in Xitang’s Ancient Town blends luxury and Chinese vernacular architectureVilla in Xitang Ancient Town is the latest hospitality complex in the historic water town of the Jiangnan region in southern China, courtesy of Nature Times Art Design Co
-
Monolithic architecture defines period house renovation in New ZealandFranklin Road House in Auckland, designed by Jack McKinney Architects and Katie Lockhart Studio, is a monolithic marvel infused with tropical modernism
-
Championing slow architecture with Manea KellaCasa Popeea, a hotel in Romania, is a recent competion of London-based architecture studio Manea Kella and represents the practice’s take on slow architecture; a movement that favours crafts, simplicity, locality and sustainable architecture
-
Feng Shui guides the design of this Melbourne house extensionSteffen Welsch Architects creates house extension and renovation in Melbourne guided by the principles of the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui
-
A Rimini contemporary art museum celebrates local history through cultureA new Italian contemporary art museum, the Palazzi dell’Arte Rimini, is the visionary transformation of two medieval buildings into a welcome cultural hotspot, courtesy of the city council, a local sense of civic responsibility and Milan based architect Luca Cipelletti
-
Rose-coloured zinc extension elevates an old English houseIn the British countryside, a house with many historic layers has been carefully modernised for family life whilst preserving the eccentricities of its original character
-
1920s Brooklyn warehouse renovated into workspace by Worrell YeungA new workspace near Brooklyn Navy Yard in NYC stays true to its early 20th century identity as a factory, with industrial materials, minimal design details and custom furniture made of salvaged wood
