The project developed by the 4_32 architecte studio for the Gerland Nautical and Sports Centre is based on the enhancement of the historic monumental entrance to the stadium, highlighting the access to the pool and its stands. Three main volumes linked together by intermediate blocks allow a gradual distribution of the U-shaped programme around the existing pool.
The intervention seeks to preserve and restore various unique pre-existing elements, witnesses to the history of the complex. Taking as a reference the neoclassical style of the original stadium project, large concrete porticos welcome visitors to the site and delimit the two main facades.
Gerland Nautical and Sports Center by 4_32 architecte. Photograph by Vladimir de Mollerat du Jeu.
Project description by 4_32 architecte
The entire site is based on the fundamentals imagined by Tony Garnier and in particular on the staging of the monumental entrance to the Gerland stadium: the Allée des Lions. The project is organized around the enhancement of this entrance, the pool, the stands and the diving board of the existing swimming pool.
In order to compose this enhancement, the project is made up of three main volumes linked together by intermediate blocks allowing a graduated spreading. The highest volume in R+2 is located on the Allée des Lions and serves as a backdrop on the pool side for the historic diving board that has become a sculpture. The two lower volumes in R+1, frame the preserved and restored stands.
The new buildings form a U-shaped setting around the existing pool, they surround the outdoor nautical space delimited by the stands. Their design is based on the 7.50 m grid implemented by Tony Garnier on all the projects of the site. This framework splits and shifts to avoid the gravel concrete foundations of the old athletes' quarter, preserved as vestiges of 20th century history.
Behind the stands, new spaces for sports are slipping in: the training area for professional rugby players to the east and an indoor swimming pool to the west.
To the south of the pool, marked by the diving board preserved and restored to its integrity, a building aligned with the Allée des Lions connects the two wings to house the offices.
Its intentional and assertive architecture is in harmony with the history of the site, both from a programmatic and urban and architectural point of view.
Portico game
The southern building, located on the Allée des Lions, at the entrance to the stadium, has three levels. It houses the headquarters of LOU Rugby. Its architecture consists of monumental porticos in raw concrete that mark and punctuate the entrance to the stadium, as Tony Garnier had imagined in his time. These porticos refer to the neoclassical style of the original project of the Stade des sports athlétiques.
The portico fillings are made of metal and glass joinery elements: opaque panels made of horizontal metal tubes to conceal the building's various technical equipment.
In articulation, the intermediate volumes are positioned on either side of the main building, accentuating the desired monumentality effect and allowing the transition with the more horizontal volumes of the East and West wings.
The building located to the West of the Tony Garnier basin has two levels to form a horizontal parallelepiped 75 m long by 8.50 m high that stands out by contrast with the building located on the Allée des lions.
On the ground floor it houses the swimming training area: a 25 m pool with four lanes and changing rooms.
This hall opens onto the outdoor swimming pool, the beaches and the stands. The 45 m long pool is built in that of Tony Garnier, whose trace remains visible. The initial depth of 5.40 m is reduced to 1.80 m to avoid overconsumption of water, energy and chlorine products. The 10 m diving board, which no longer has any function, is disarmed and becomes a sculptural totem. Level 1 includes the wellness and fitness area for the general public. A partial technical basement level is created around the pool.
The architecture of the Nautical Center takes up the principles of concrete porticos that outline the two main facades. They support large beams with a span of 18 m arranged every 7.50 m. The gables are made of solid concrete sails.
The body of the building located to the east of the pool is dedicated to professional sport: training areas, running track, indoor synthetic pitch, treatment and physiotherapy rooms on the ground floor and living room, video room and offices on the first floor. Its architecture is identical to the West building.
The roofs are treated as a fifth façade. Horizontal photovoltaic panels hidden behind the acroteria and green roofs or roofs covered with metal gratings make it possible to conceal all the technical equipment integrated into the built volumes.
A building in a park
The buildings are positioned at the heart of the green setting already existing on the pool property to the east and west.
To the west, the building opens widely onto the pool garden to offer green spaces dedicated to swimmers shaded by the existing lime and chestnut trees. This garden includes an infiltration system for all rainwater from the buildings, the stands and the pool decks. It is protected by the restored original fence. Jasmine and honeysuckle are planted to eventually create a protective visual filter.
To the east, the rhythm of the porticos resonates with that of the alignment of existing plane trees, planted following the construction framework.
To the north, facing the hotel, the porticos take on the appearance of a monumental vegetated pergola. The base of the facades are planted, Virginia creeper, jasmine and honeysuckle will colonize the concrete of the facade. Oaks of different varieties complete this plant fringe.
To the south, on the Allée des Lions, a set of planted planters and steps provide access to the building. Two cypresses are planted on either side of the entrances to highlight the setbacks of the facades.
