Location: Calais, France.

Architect: Moatti et Rivière.

Architects have renovated an old lace factory from the 19th century and added a contemporary extension to it. The new building has an L-shaped facade made of double glass walls held by a steel structure. One side is concave and the other is convex, both reflecting the surrounding landscape and atmospheric changes. The facade features metallic enamel screen printing of the perforation patterns of the Jacquard cards used in British Leaver looms. This printing technique creates a lace-like effect of transparency and surprise. At night, the light from inside the museum shines through the “pointillé” pattern, turning the facade into a luminous signal. During the day, the light filters inside, creating delicate shadow play. The museum showcases the industrial adventure of lace in Calais, presenting the processing techniques and applications of the product through five sequences on three floors of the old factory. The top floor houses the museum administration and welcomes professionals in the industry. The “Cité dentelle” is not just a museum but an active center dedicated to lace and fashion.