The cultural complex at the entrance to Deauville looks boldly towards the sea and the city centre and stands out with its contemporary façades, inspired by elements of resort architecture.
The long façade that runs beside the road and the railway reveals, in succession, a planted embankment, a brick wall, wooden openwork screens and finally vast windows in woodwork structures, which mark the city-side entrance to the hall. The roof accompanies this organisation. It is composed of a series of alternate slate slopes featuring dormer windows that bathe the rooms on the top floor in natural overhead light.
The cultural complex houses the theatre and the multimedia library in the same building. One is located in the brick base, the other above it in a light, open volume. This contrast gives the building strength and expresses the interwoven programmes. An annexe creates a volumetric link with the small houses on the boulevard and helps to give the building a reasonable scale.
A footpath that leads to the rear car park has been created between these two volumes. The car park is treated as an orchard and is enclosed by brick walls that prolong the façades of the building. The cultural complex is accessed from the city centre by a pedestrian promenade that runs beneath the trees alongside the stadium. Adorned with benches, lampposts and plantations, this promenade leads to the cultural complex entrance that is flush with the front piazza, which also structures the crossroads. The hall features vast windows onto the city and provides direct access to the theatre plus access to the multimedia library above via a staircase. The multimedia library is organised on a single level that combines both the adult and the children’s sections. This large space offers a “balcony” view over the sea and the city centre and is brightly lit by peripheral windows and overhead openings. The exhibition space and the foyer-bar of the theatre are also located here. These joint functions create a lively, enjoyable space.
The multimedia library’s other technical functions are assembled in the annexe, which is linked by a walkway. The auditorium and its small hall are located on the ground floor and can function independently.
This flexible, contextual, contemporary building is open to the innovative practices of cultural and multimedia events.