OIII Architecten to Design New Media Campus in Northern France

Following a competition in March 2010, the multifaceted commission for the construction of a cluster dedicated to education in digital creation in the north of France was awarded to Amsterdam-based OIII Architecten.

Project Description from the Architects:

The schools that are now the driving force behind the Supinfocom group were established by the principal, the Nord de France Chamber of Commerce, in the late 1980s. These schools offer training courses in the field of design, virtual reality, animation film and video gaming. The 18,800 m2 project is the first major complex to be realized on the newly developed site on the banks of the River Scheldt just outside Valenciennes, and is intended to bring together the companies and educational institutions that are involved in the domain of digital creation.

Although they are all under the same roof, the three different schools and businesses each have their own space within the complex. The large open central area that connects the different wings includes a center for virtual reality, a 450-seat auditorium and top quality technical and research laboratories; it also provides an opportunity for students and young entrepreneurs to meet and exchange ideas, knowledge and expertise.

Incorporating natural elements into the building, and opening it out into its surroundings, turns it into a connective element between the world of nature, the man-made world and the world of virtual reality.

A smart climate and building management system ensures that a pleasant and energy-efficient climate can be maintained inside the cluster. The green courtyards and the atria play an important role in this respect.

Project Details:

Location: Anzin (Valenciennes), North of France
Client: Champer of Commerce, North France (CCI Nord de France)
Partner in charge: E Eric Paardekooper Overman
Design: Anouk Dekker, Harald Kor, Armand Paardekooper Overman, Maarten Sanders, Eric Wezenberg, Emile Revier (Revier Architectuur), Walter Dresscher (DNADN)
Team: Peter Evers, Edwin Kamphorst, Sébastien Marty, Ernst-Jan Schoute, Cathelijne Vreugdenhil, Martin Vinkestijn
Project support: DNADN
Landscape architect: Haver Droeze, Amersfoort
Structural engineer: Ginger Etco, Nantes
Building physics: RFR Elements, Paris
Acoustics: ABC Décibel, Paris
Size: 18,800 m²
Status: completion in 2013

All images courtesy of OIII Architecten.