A roller skating rink as a public space. Versus by TITAN
11/08/2021.
[Nantes] France
metalocus, CARLOS GONZÁLEZ
metalocus, CARLOS GONZÁLEZ
Entitled Versus, this temporary installation, designed by TITAN architects, at Place Graslin features a public roller skating rink as part of the annual art and design festival Le Voyage à Nantes, the city Nantes on the riverbank Loire River in the Upper Brittany, region of western France.
Le Voyage à Nantes, is an artistic and poetic trail in the city an event which is organized every summer highlighting this cultural project via an urban itinerary, where city spaces are filled with both temporary and permanent artworks.
Le Voyage à Nantes, is an artistic and poetic trail in the city an event which is organized every summer highlighting this cultural project via an urban itinerary, where city spaces are filled with both temporary and permanent artworks.
Versus by TITAN. Photograph by Martin Agryroglo.
Versus by TITAN. Photograph by Julien Lanoo.
Versus by TITAN. Photograph by Julien Lanoo.
Versus by TITAN. Photograph by Julien Lanoo.
Versus by TITAN. Photograph by Julien Lanoo.
Versus by TITAN. Photograph by Julien Lanoo.
Versus by TITAN. Photograph by Julien Lanoo.
Versus by TITAN. Photograph by Julien Lanoo.
Ground floor plan. Versus by TITAN.
Elevation-section. Versus by TITAN.
The installation designed by TITAN is a roller skating rink, inspired by the relationship between form and balance established by architect Mathurin Crucy, who designed both the square and the theater in the late 18th century.
This temporary structure has been adapted to the irregularities of the ground and plays with its natural slope, giving the square a renewed sense of centrality, and opening it up to hours of fancyfree skating. Measuring 38m in diameter, the main structure is made of prefabricated white concrete, while the rink track is poured-in-place white concrete.
With Jean Blaise as its director, its mission is to promote the cultural project established by Nantes, and more generally by the destination of Nantes Métropole. The 2021 edition of Le Voyage à Nantes will take place from July 3rd to September 12th!
This temporary structure has been adapted to the irregularities of the ground and plays with its natural slope, giving the square a renewed sense of centrality, and opening it up to hours of fancyfree skating. Measuring 38m in diameter, the main structure is made of prefabricated white concrete, while the rink track is poured-in-place white concrete.
With Jean Blaise as its director, its mission is to promote the cultural project established by Nantes, and more generally by the destination of Nantes Métropole. The 2021 edition of Le Voyage à Nantes will take place from July 3rd to September 12th!
Project description by TITAN architects
The new installation designed by TITAN is inspired by the relationship between form and balance established by architect Mathurin Crucy, who designed both the square and the theater in the late 18th century. Featuring a roller skating rink, this temporary structure has been adapted to the irregularities of the ground and plays with its natural slope, giving the square a renewed sense of centrality, and opening it up to hours of fancyfree skating. Measuring 38m in diameter, the main structure is made of prefabricated white concrete, while the rink track is poured-in-place white concrete.
Amblers and athletes alike can meet on the track inside the rink, which offers an opportunity to honour a lively and effervescent sport that has made a comeback in recent years: Roller derby. Spectators can sit on the steps of the theatre – conveniently turned into bleachers – for an open-air match. The public can also sit at the edge of the installation, where benches invite everyone to contemplate and discover Place Graslin in this new light. The concept explores the relationship between the balanced proportions of the historic fabric, the divergent views, and the city’s social dynamics, providing inhabitants and festival visitors with a new open public space.
VERSUS also includes a service loaning out roller skates and rollerblades.
More information
Architects
Client
Le Voyage à Nantes.
Dates
July until September 3th, 2021.
Location
Place Graslin, Nantes, France.
Photography
Mathieu Barré, François Guinaudeau, Romain Pradeau. Titan
TITAN was established in 2011 by Mathieu Barré, François Guinaudeau, and Romain Pradeau with both a commitment to simplicity and functionality and the aim of creating a poetic response to the built environment.
Mathieu Barré was born in France in 1986. He graduated from the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture in Nantes in 2008, after which he gained experience at diverse offices in France. His approach mediates between the most intangible ideas to the most technically perfect realizations. He was recently honoured with the AJAP 2018 award.
François Guinaudeau was born in France in 1985. He holds a degree from the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture in Nantes. His context-based approach accentuates a relationship to nature, and to the landscape. He taught previously at his alma mater, and more recently has been awarded the AJAP.
Romain Pradeau was born in France in 1985. He studied at the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture in Nantes and worked as an architect at various offices. Central to his approach is his research on fabrication, material, and form. He is a recipient of the AJAP 2018 award.
Born through the evocation of the distinctive industrial past of the city of Nantes, the name of the firm refers to the old docks on the Loire River, with its shipyards and cranes, which are an integral part of its history.
One focus of their work is to contribute to a shared cultural awareness in order to foster sustainable change by addressing current challenges and future needs with regard to cultural preservation in terms of material use.
Their body of work includes residential, cultural and educational projects, as well as civic and technical buildings, alongside multidisciplinary research on construction materials with the aim of creating new possibilities.
The office has won international awards such as AJAP 2018, 40 under 40, Green Good Design Award 2016, and Jeunes Architectes et Paysagistes Ligériens in 2011. In 2018, Titan is finalist at the AR Emerging Awards, the Blueprint Awards, Le Geste d’Or, ADC Awards 2019 and the Bauwelt Preis 2019. Most recently, TITAN has been awarded with Prix AMO, Trophée béton Pro, and the Prix Aperçus Départemental d’Architecture et d’Aménagement.
In 2019, the Welcome pavilion in Saint-Vincent-sur-Jard has become finalist at the Equerre d’argent, and the National Museum Clemenceau has been shortlisted for European Museum of the Year – the most prestigious museum award in Europe.
Mathieu Barré was born in France in 1986. He graduated from the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture in Nantes in 2008, after which he gained experience at diverse offices in France. His approach mediates between the most intangible ideas to the most technically perfect realizations. He was recently honoured with the AJAP 2018 award.
François Guinaudeau was born in France in 1985. He holds a degree from the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture in Nantes. His context-based approach accentuates a relationship to nature, and to the landscape. He taught previously at his alma mater, and more recently has been awarded the AJAP.
Romain Pradeau was born in France in 1985. He studied at the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture in Nantes and worked as an architect at various offices. Central to his approach is his research on fabrication, material, and form. He is a recipient of the AJAP 2018 award.
Born through the evocation of the distinctive industrial past of the city of Nantes, the name of the firm refers to the old docks on the Loire River, with its shipyards and cranes, which are an integral part of its history.
One focus of their work is to contribute to a shared cultural awareness in order to foster sustainable change by addressing current challenges and future needs with regard to cultural preservation in terms of material use.
Their body of work includes residential, cultural and educational projects, as well as civic and technical buildings, alongside multidisciplinary research on construction materials with the aim of creating new possibilities.
The office has won international awards such as AJAP 2018, 40 under 40, Green Good Design Award 2016, and Jeunes Architectes et Paysagistes Ligériens in 2011. In 2018, Titan is finalist at the AR Emerging Awards, the Blueprint Awards, Le Geste d’Or, ADC Awards 2019 and the Bauwelt Preis 2019. Most recently, TITAN has been awarded with Prix AMO, Trophée béton Pro, and the Prix Aperçus Départemental d’Architecture et d’Aménagement.
In 2019, the Welcome pavilion in Saint-Vincent-sur-Jard has become finalist at the Equerre d’argent, and the National Museum Clemenceau has been shortlisted for European Museum of the Year – the most prestigious museum award in Europe.
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