Location: Lyon, France.

Architect: AUM Pierre Minassian.

The project involved transforming an old heating plant, designed by Pierre Bourdeix in 1955, into a contemporary art foundation and residential building. The challenge was to preserve the building’s heritage while adapting it to its new functions. The architecture of the foundation was designed by using the existing concrete beams as a framework, with steel structures added for contrast. The use of mirrors created a sense of disorientation and altered the perspective of the space. The steel work was done on site, requiring significant lifting and manipulation of materials. The result is a unique blend of old and new, with the building’s history preserved while also being transformed into a modern space for art and living.

Photo credit: Studio Erick Saillet.