Calais Congress Centre by Arte Charpentier Architectes with Abciss-Architects

Calais Congress Centre
Calais Congress Centre
Image © Arte Charpentier Architectes

Arte Charpentier, the lead architect, will design the new Centre de Congrès et de Spectacles de Calais, in partnership with Abciss-Architectes, as part of a consortium led by the Rabot Dutilleul Group.

Calais Congress Centre
Image © Arte Charpentier Architectes

Arte Charpentier Architectes presented an ambitious plan for the major cultural facility, to be located on an 18,000 sqm oceanfront site.

Calais Congress Centre
Image © Arte Charpentier Architectes

Featuring rounded contours, it is designed to make the most of the site’s exceptional views: the port to the east; the sea and spa district to the north; and to the south, the city and its historic monuments such as the Risban fort, lighthouse, watchtower and City Hall.

Calais Congress Centre
Image © Arte Charpentier Architectes

The conference and performing arts centre is a strong iconic structure that will focus perspective, giving it more power without concealing the sea view and providing instant appeal to the waterfront.

Calais Congress Centre
Image © Arte Charpentier Architectes

The conference centre’s organic and dynamic architecture contrasts with the cubic, static structure of nearby buildings while staying within a specified maximum height of 15 metres.

Calais Congress Centre
Image © Arte Charpentier Architectes

A single emerging element – made distinctive through its verticality, sleekness and height – serves as a key urban link between the terrace roof and the parvis, contributing to the building’s essential visibility from the sea, port and city.

Calais Congress Centre
Image © Arte Charpentier Architectes

Because the project is also to be a living space and a pole of attraction designed for year-round use, it will include, among other things, two auditoriums including a large multifunctional space, a highly modular exhibition space, two hotels, conference rooms and extensive patios.

Calais Congress Centre
Image © Arte Charpentier Architectes

The emphasis on the parvis is significant, as evidenced by the building’s transparency, the inclusion of a giant screen, and poetic nighttime lighting. Source by v2com.

Calais Congress Centre
Image © Arte Charpentier Architectes

Location: Calais, France
Architect: Arte Charpentier Architectes
Local architect: Abciss-Architectes
Team: Rabot Dutilleul Partenariats (Lead company), CIPPER, Rabot Dutilleul Construction, Norlit, Sitex
Engineering and design: PROJEX
Engineering and design: Diagobat
Engineering and design: Architecture Technique
Engineering and design: AVEL Acoustique
Year: 2014
Images: Arte Charpentier Architectes

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