Lilas’ pavilion / Lilas’ bus stop

Lilas’ pavilion

This building contains two different programs: premises intended for the RATP(Paris Public Transport System) on ground-floor and premises intended for a Circus on the second floor. Each function defined by a singular volume. Uncoupling the two functions shall be effected by a separate treatment of volumes and materials. In continuity of the walls of the tunnel above the ring road, the RATP’ offices on the ground area joins at the idea of a base. The circus’ offices seem them to be put in the style of a circus tent on a base.

The circus’ building, which overhangs the square, is a very compelling volume. Three of his facades are not accessible. To reduce its impact and to mark it out, its volume is split and cut. Its shape creates two slender volume, each linked to a different function. One volume receives the administration and the public, and the other, the workshop and the reserves. The splitting of the facade contributes to minimize the presence of the pavilion and gives depth to the building. The decomposition of spaces allows a hierarchical organization and proper functioning of the whole. A golden lacquered perforated steel sheet wraps the circus pavilion. This double skin works like a moucharabieh. This mesh permeable to light protects the various elements of the program such as toilets, reserves and the workshop. This materiality corresponds to the idea of circus: By night, the interior light become a lantern who participates to the entertainment.


Lilas’ bus stop

A white folded shape emerges from the ground at the entrance of the subway station «Porte des Lilas». This monolithic shelter takes place on the forecourt of the cinema giving a new background scene. Its dynamic shape is a strong signal for travelers. Exceptional by its great dimension, its sharpness and folding, it covers the space required for two buses.

The shelter is a pure construction. Its expression is linked to the elements of structure that compose it and which are necessary to its stability. The canopy holds its strength of withe the continuity of materials. This folding coming out from the ground is both wall and coverage. Pilars stroll freely like pedestrians in group. The cover and the pilars are then read as two autonomous entities improving the perception of overhangs.

It is a major element of the square of «du maquis du Vercors». Its lateral position gives a limit to this forecourt. It gives more strength to the north-south axis of the project. It’s a urban component which participates in the global functioning of this public place: bus terminus, subway entrance, shelters for free service cycles, meeting area for the cinema and the circus. Its grip on the ground, very lightweight, enables a continuity total of materials of paving stone. Then the shelter appears more as a sail delicately put in limit of the square than as a immovable building. The whole shelter will be constructed with one material. It will be made of steel and painted in white.

City of Paris, SEMAVIP

Matthieu Gelin & David Lafon

Landscape designer: Agence Territoires,
Structure engineer: Intégrale 4
Road engineer: ATPI
Light designer: Light cible