A new entrance to gothic cathedral. La Galilée de Saint-Maurice d’Angers by Kengo Kuma
29/10/2021.
[Angers] France
metalocus, VALERIA OZUNA
metalocus, VALERIA OZUNA
The contemporary gallery on the cathedral of Angers imagined by Japanese studio Kengo Kuma and Associates has been featured at the regional house of architecture in Nantes.
The proposal of the team led by the Japanese studio Kengo Kuma & Associates was the winner of the invitation competition called to add a contemporary entrance to the Gothic Cathedral of Saint Maurice in Angers, built in the Angevin gothic style, in different periods since the 12th to 17th centuries, on the base of an earlier Romanesque cathedral.
The proposal of the team led by the Japanese studio Kengo Kuma & Associates was the winner of the invitation competition called to add a contemporary entrance to the Gothic Cathedral of Saint Maurice in Angers, built in the Angevin gothic style, in different periods since the 12th to 17th centuries, on the base of an earlier Romanesque cathedral.
La Galilée de Saint-Maurice d’Angers by Kengo Kuma & Associates. Image by Kengo Kuma & Associates – image by l’autreimage
La Galilée de Saint-Maurice d’Angers by Kengo Kuma & Associates. Image by Kengo Kuma & Associates – image by l’autreimage
La Galilée de Saint-Maurice d’Angers by Kengo Kuma & Associates. Image by Kengo Kuma & Associates – image by l’autreimage
La Galilée de Saint-Maurice d’Angers by Kengo Kuma & Associates. Image by Kengo Kuma & Associates – image by l’autreimage
La Galilée de Saint-Maurice d’Angers by Kengo Kuma & Associates. Image by Kengo Kuma & Associates – image by l’autreimage
Overview model. La Galilée de Saint-Maurice d’Angers by Kengo Kuma & Associates.
Overview model. La Galilée de Saint-Maurice d’Angers by Kengo Kuma & Associates.
Detail model. La Galilée de Saint-Maurice d’Angers by Kengo Kuma & Associates.
Detail model. La Galilée de Saint-Maurice d’Angers by Kengo Kuma & Associates.
Detail model. La Galilée de Saint-Maurice d’Angers by Kengo Kuma & Associates.
Detail model. La Galilée de Saint-Maurice d’Angers by Kengo Kuma & Associates.
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 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 (cataloged in 1862 as a historical monument), creating an open gallery through the which will partially see the multicolored sculptures of the portal.
Acording Kengo Kuma and Associates the concept is "a harmonious dialogue" between the contemporary design and this Middle Age architectural heritage.
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 (cataloged in 1862 as a historical monument), creating an open gallery through the which will partially see the multicolored sculptures of the portal.
Acording Kengo Kuma and Associates the concept is "a harmonious dialogue" between the 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.
More information
Architects
Kengo Kuma and Associates (KKAA). Architect.- Kengo Kuma.
Project team
Chizuko Kawarada, Elise Fauquembergue, Carla Beaujard, Hiromichi Kamiya.
Collaborators
Heritage architect.- Vincent Brunelle, Martin Brunelle.
General Engineering, Quantity surveyor.- BETEM Atlantique- Jean-François Renaud, Boris Rombolotto.
Lighting designer.- 8’18’’ concepteurs et plasticiens lumière- Emmanuelle Sebie, Line Muckensturm.
General Engineering, Quantity surveyor.- BETEM Atlantique- Jean-François Renaud, Boris Rombolotto.
Lighting designer.- 8’18’’ concepteurs et plasticiens lumière- Emmanuelle Sebie, Line Muckensturm.
Area
147 m² (7 mx 21 m) on a plot of 233.75 m² (9.35 mx 25 m).
Dates
Competition.- 2019 - September 2020.
Construction completion is scheduled for 2024.
KENGO KUMA
Kengo Kuma was born in Yokohama (Kanagawa, Japan) in 1954. He studied architecture at the University of Tokyo, finishing his degree in 1979. In 1987, he opened the "Spatial Design Studio". In 1990 he founded "Kengo Kuma & Associates" and extend the study to Europe (Paris, France) in 2008. Since 1985 and until 2009, has taught as visiting professor and holder at the universities of Columbia, Keio, Illinois and Tokyo.
Main Awards:
· 2011 The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Prize for "Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum."
· 2010 Mainichi Art Award for “Nezu Museum.”
· 2009 "Decoration Officier de L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres" (France).
· 2008 Energy Performance + Architecture Award (France). Bois Magazine International Wood Architecture Award (France).
· 2002 Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award (Finland).
· 2001 Togo Murano Award for “Nakagawa-machi Bato Hiroshige Museum.”
· 1997 Architectural Institute of Japan Award for “Noh Stage in the Forest”. First Place, AIA DuPONT Benedictus Award for “Water/Glass” (USA).
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