A greenhouse as a multipurpose room. Hospitality room by FORME

Description of project by FORME

Nestled in the heart of 7TH ARRON DESIGN.

The greenhouse is part of the Saint Jean de Dieu Private Clinic, located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, known for the excellence of its care in surgery and oncology. Managed by the Cognacq-Jay and Saint Jean de Dieu foundations, the establishment is also known for the tranquility and quality of its gardens, the use of which is reserved for staff and patients. Located in the heart of the block, behind the clinic buildings, the complex offers a privileged and quiet environment, away from the urban hustle and bustle. It is highly appreciated by users and acts as a resting place for some hospitalized patients. Built-in the 18th century, at the same time as the neighboring buildings, the conservatory is near the entrance to the clinic. Built to cultivate medicinal plants, it remained active until the end of the 20th century, until it ended up being abandoned, and it lived thanks to the presence of the last vineyards in the area.

The project is located within the protected sector of District 7. Created to protect the historical heritage and culture, this is governed by the Safeguard and Mise en Valeur (PSMV), which imposes rules on the protection of the built heritage and architectural prescriptions. PSMV limits new constructions, in addition to restricting interventions in existing buildings, which must be redone similarly.

A parenthesis in the course of attention.

These data related to the urban and regulatory context have been key elements of the project. In managing the operation, the Saint Jean de Dieu Foundation wanted to acquire a recreational area for its staff and patients. This is due to the need to expand their spaces due to their small size. The desire to exploit this already built volume in a unique environment was what encouraged us to start this project. This is why the foundation imagined rehabilitating the old horticultural greenhouse and transforming it into a multipurpose room.

Designed as a parenthesis in the service route, the equipment adapts to various activities, such as introductions to the visual arts, moments of debate, and conferences or sports sessions. implanted in the heart of the garden, the team offers a suitable setting to escape into nature.

Adaptting the greenhouse to its new use.

The challenge of the project was to transform the greenhouse and allow the reception of new uses throughout the year while fulfilling the obligations of safeguarding and heritage improvement imposed by the PSMV. An operation that may seem paradoxical in view of the typology whose forms, materials and devices have been designed to promote plant growth, but which is not specifically suitable for human activities in summer and winter. A paradox that constitutes a strong element of the project and participates in its uniqueness.

To adapt the greenhouse to its new destination, it was first necessary to lower the ground level because the initial height was not sufficient. To distinguish what exists from the project, it was decided to play with the materials, marking the surfaces located below the initial level. In this way, the team uses the past of the construction. To do this, the terracotta brick perimeter walls were buttressed with reused bricks. With the Aubert Labansat company in charge of the work, it was allowed to approach the initial sections of the wood, while incorporating double glazing, to improve thermal performance.

Therefore, the interior volume has been modified without transforming the building envelope.

Reinterpret the internal organization.

The interior design is heavily inspired by the organization. Its principles have been preserved and reinterpreted to allow a new use. All the furniture is installed on the outskirts where before there were planting boxes, this frees up the central space, ideal for various activities. The piece of furniture takes the form of a peripheral bench with multiple functions, acting as a seat in the space that rises at the back to become the kitchen work area.

It tries to leave sight of the raw materials.

Preserve the language of the greenhouse.

The entire project was carried out with great respect for the original construction, and the desire to take advantage of the constructive intelligence of the greenhouse. Beyond the envelope elements, some existing devices have been preserved, in particular the ventilation system, or even the external wooden obstacles that protect the building from solar gains in summer. In this same logic, the language elements of the horticultural greenhouse such as the cast iron of the glass roof, or even the openings in the wall. Thus, even without intrinsically modifying the building to enable the new function, the project retains the traces of past uses.