Kengo Kuma and Associates (KKAA) designed a proposal with archivolts for an addition to the cathedral, a contemporary entrance gallery to protect the sculptural doorway on the western door of the temple, where a series of polychrome sculptures were discovered in 2009. Construction completion is scheduled for 2024.
The first images and models show a minimal construction, perforated by 5 arches, inscribing in a historical continuity, in coherence with the site, without structurally leaning on the cathedral (catalogued in 1862 as a historical monument), creating an open gallery through which one will partially see the multicoloured sculptures of the portal.
According to Kengo Kuma and Associates, the concept is "a harmonious dialogue" between contemporary design and this Middle Age architectural heritage.
Project description by Kengo Kuma
We were asked to design a contemporary gallery to protect the western portal of Angers Cathedral, where precious polychromatic sculptures from medieval (12th century) and modern (17th century) periods were recently discovered.
The uniqueness of this portal, dating from the 12th century, is represented by these multi-coloured stone relics typical of the Middle Ages, and only a new construction will be able to preserve it sustainably.
Our challenge was to create a harmonious dialogue between a contemporary creation whilst preserving Middle-Age architectural heritage.
We wanted to put ourselves in the shoes of the builders of the Middle Ages and to create a regulatory framework, using compasses, thus generating the proportions which lead to unity. All this is achieved using the finest stone processes possible, which then frees itself from the thick walls of the cathedral built in stereotomy.
It is this technical process that creates a contemporary feeling to the building, while remaining part of the history of architecture.
