L’Atelier
L’Atelier is a minimalist workshop located in Bordeaux, France, designed by A6A. The chosen location, a historical modeler’s workshop, reflects the firm’s respect for traditional professions where prototypes were crafted by hand. Preserving the original street sign, the space embodies a profound connection to its craft-based heritage, serving as an apt foundation for the firm’s architectural vision. This venue is divided into three distinct areas: a street-facing garage, an enclosed garden, and a central shed, together forming an ideal setting for architectural experimentation. Here, the boundaries between the natural world and built environment blur, allowing for a space that invites manual creativity and exploration.
The renovation of a dilapidated shed, now featuring a large doorway and maintaining its original metal structure, exemplifies this integration of old and new. The interior is deliberately open, with private spaces like meeting rooms and restrooms being the exception, ensuring the vastness of the area is perceptible. Metal trusses overhead and a selection of materials like concrete floors, birch plywood, and acoustic ceiling treatments contribute to a sense of continuity and harmony throughout the space. Sustainability is a cornerstone of the workshop, which operates without reliance on air conditioning or fossil fuels. A pellet stove, ceiling fans, and natural ventilation ensure comfort, while a large skylight and photovoltaic panels on the roof support the building’s energy needs.
Enhanced insulation techniques further underscore the commitment to energy efficiency. Visitors to L’Atelier embark on a spatial journey, starting from the industrial exterior, through a verdant garden, and into the heart of the workshop, where every detail—from the choice of materials to the design of workspaces—reflects the firm’s philosophy. The garden, an urban oasis, bridges the exterior with the workshop’s interior, where light and structure play pivotal roles. The workshop’s layout, with its library, communal workspaces, and intimate mezzanine areas, fosters collaboration and creativity. Here, the firm’s process of design and construction is not just about the end result but is celebrated as an intrinsic part of the architectural experience, allowing the space to adapt and evolve over time.