Nourish from the environment. Lot 8 by Assemble + BC architects + Atelier LUMA

Architecture practices BC architects & studies & materials, Assemble and Atelier LUMA were commissioned to design the renovation of the historic 19th-century railway building "Magasin Electrique," belonging to the French railway company SNCF, in the city of Arles, France.

The project was one of 40 works selected from 410 nominations to win the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Awards 2026, which recognizes architects who take responsibility for designing ethically, sustainably, and with a long-term social impact.

Lot 8 by Assemble + BC architects + Atelier LUMA. Photograph by Joseph Halligan.

BC Architects & Studies & Materials, Assemble and Atelier LUMA have transformed the "Magasin Electrique" (Electric Store) in Lot 8 into a design and research laboratory for Atelier Luma. The program includes: workshops for wood, metal, ceramics, and textiles; meeting rooms; offices and production areas; a library; a resource center; and algae and mycelium laboratories. The heart of the building is the "Agora," a central space used for exhibitions and public events.

The project stands out for its use of locally sourced solutions that promote an ecological transition based on a bioregional design with natural, innovative, and local materials and sustainable techniques, making it an emblem of sustainable architecture.The construction involved more than 15 local contractors.

Lot 8 by Assemble + BC. Photograph by Joana Luz.

Lot 8 by Assemble + BC architects + Atelier LUMA. Photograph by Joana Luz.

Project description by Assemble + BC

Renovation of the former "Magasin Electrique" of the French railway company SNCF
The Lot 8 project is a collaboration between BC architects & studies & materials, Assemble and Atelier LUMA. The "Magasin Electrique" is a 2100 m² former 19th century train depot building, and has been renovated to provide a new workspace for the design and research laboratory Atelier Luma, including workshops for timber, metal, ceramic, and textile, alongside dedicated algae and mycelium laboratories, meeting rooms, desk and production space, library and resource centre.

Atelier LUMA is the design research program of LUMA Foundation. Based in the Parc des Ateliers in Arles, France, since 2017, it is deeply connected to its geographic and cultural environment: the Camargue region, the Alpilles mountains, and the Crau plains.

Lot 8 by Assemble + BC. Photograph by Schnepp Renou. — Lot 8 by Assemble + BC architects + Atelier LUMA. Photograph by Schnepp Renou.

"Through investigating the resources and know-how in our bioregion, and connecting different fields of expertise, Atelier Luma develops local solutions for ecological, economic, and social transition."

Working in close collaboration, the team set out an ambition to create a flagship piece of bioregional design, presenting a new attitude towards materials, promoting and highlighting innovation in bioregional design practice. The project is developed in collaboration with local stakeholders, it is drawing from regional know-how and resources, and it aims to create lasting impact through training programs and transmission projects.

Lot 8 by Assemble + BC architects + Atelier LUMA. Photograph by Morgane Renou.

Lot 8 by Assemble + BC architects + Atelier LUMA. Photograph by Schnepp Renou.

Lot 8 by Assemble + BC architects + Atelier LUMA. Photograph by Joana Luz.

Lot 8 by Assemble + BC architects + Atelier LUMA. Photograph by Baptiste Chatenet.

Lot 8 by Assemble + BC architects + Atelier LUMA. Photograph by Adrian Deweerdt.

Lot 8 by Assemble + BC architects + Atelier LUMA. Photograph by Laurens Bekemans.

Site plan. Lot 8 by Assemble + BC architects + Atelier LUMA.

First floor plan. Lot 8 by Assemble + BC architects + Atelier LUMA.

Section. Lot 8 by Assemble + BC architects + Atelier LUMA.

Constructive section. Lot 8 by Assemble + BC architects + Atelier LUMA.

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More information

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Architects

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Assemble + BC architects & studies. Local architect.- ODA.

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Collaborators

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Material development.- Atelier LUMA + BC materials.
Bioclimatic Concept.- SYNEFF Consult.
Structure and HVAC.- Betrec.
Building labelling.- Envirobat BDM, Scop DOMENE, Estenea, Adret, TERAO.
Garden.- Chris Posma SYNEFF Consult, COLDEP, TPF-I, Marie Marquet, Florent Valentin, Dominique Cardon, Véronique Mure, Genre, Agence PAYSAGE.

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Client

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LUMA Foundation.

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Area

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2,500 sqm.

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Dates

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2020.

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Location

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Arles, France.

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Contractors

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Atelier Kara, La pierre au carrée, Leem-niscaat, Menuiserie Correze, Tanzi, CVI, Guintoli, Novacier, Calvo, Fernandez & fils, CKAT, Le village, Tonello.

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Manufacturers

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Interior elements.- atelier blam, Lukas Wegwerth, Etablissement Brissaud, Association Le Village, Plâtre Vieujot, Atech, CSTB, CTTM, Ets Carré Construction site companies Tanzi, Guintoli NGE, Atelier Kara, SCOP La Pierre au Carré, Brique Technique Concept, Rachid Mizrahi, NOVACIER, Menuiserie Corrèze, CKAT Aménagement, CVI, CLP,CALVO, SNEF, SARL Fernandez & Fils, Het Leemnis-caat, Briseno, Tonello, Citynox, Apte, Associati.

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Photography

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Schnepp Renou.- Simon, Morgane Renou. Joana Luz, Adrian Deweerdt, Baptiste Chatenet, Joseph Halligan, Laurens Bekemans.

Laurens Bekemans, Wes Degreef, Nicolas Coeckelberghs, Ken De Cooman. BC architects & studies & materials

BC architects & studies & materials is an architecture practice founded by Laurens Bekemans (1986), Wes Degreef (1986), Nicolas Coeckelberghs (1986) and Ken De Cooman (1983), committed to regenerative and bioregional architecture. They design buildings that are deeply rooted in their environment and informed by material knowledge. Their projects respond to social dynamics and cultural contexts. They often emerge from hands-on processes that reconnect architecture with craftsmanship, local sourcing, and collaborative creation. Each project serves as a prototype for systemic transformation, a space to experiment, challenge norms, and rethink the architect's role. From sourcing local earth, fibers or timber to crafting elements on-site with communities and artisans, their practice is grounded in direct engagement with materials and people. Their sites become places of learning, collaboration, and shared authorship.

BC architects & studies & materials, BC stands for Brussels Cooperation and points to how BC grew - embedded within place and people. They operate through 3 legal entities registered in Belgium: BC architects bv (architecture company), BC studies vzw (non-profit education laboratory), BC materials cv (material production cooperative). BC is a hybrid practice, designing and undertaking "acts of building" towards systemic change in the construction sector. They strive for bioregional, low-tech, circular, beautiful and inclusive design. They work with their minds and their hands, undertaking activities such as community organisation, material production, contracting, teaching and prototyping. They aim to impact positively on people's ideas and the planet. They act on behalf of the generations after us.

STUDIO ASSEMBLE

Assemble are a collective based in London who work across the fields of art, architecture and design. They began working together in 2010 and are comprised of 18 members. Assemble’s working practice seeks to address the typical disconnection between the public and the process by which places are made. Assemble champion a working practice that is interdependent and collaborative, seeking to actively involve the public as both participant and collaborator in the on-going realization of the work.