Location: Les Eyzies de Tayac, France.

Architect: W-ARCHITECTURES.

The PIP (International Center for Prehistory) is a delicate and almost confidential site that seeks to reveal the landscape through its architecture. The Center’s design is based on the topography and hydrology of the area, with the Center’s entrance showcasing the cliff landscape as a prelude to the prehistoric universe. The building’s materiality is simple, with a limited color palette of white, charcoal gray, and metallic reflections, and a restricted range of materials such as raw concrete, sanded glass, stainless steel, and mineral resins. The PIP is a cultural, scientific, and tourist destination that includes exhibition spaces, an auditorium, a documentation center, workrooms, a shop, and a cafeteria. The building is respectful of its sensitive environment, with a wood-fired heating system and no air conditioning. The complex topography of the site has been used to limit the impact of the building, with features such as a sunken courtyard, a moat, and a large cantilever over the river. The building’s design allows for large circulation spaces and framed views of the landscape.

Photo credit: Cyrille Weiner.