Forme Horticultural Greenhouse Paris Photo Giaime Meloni Yellowtrace 02

 

Forme Horticultural Greenhouse Paris Photo Giaime Meloni Yellowtrace 04

 

Forme Horticultural Greenhouse Paris Photo Giaime Meloni Yellowtrace 07

Forme Horticultural Greenhouse Paris Photo Giaime Meloni Yellowtrace 03

 

Forme Architecture + Urbanisme have delivered an atypical project—the conversion of a horticultural greenhouse into event space—located in the private garden of the Clinique Saint Jean de Dieu in the conservation area of Paris’ 7th arrondissement.

Built in the 18th century for cultivating medicinal plants, the greenhouse remained in use until the end of the 20th century before gradually becoming abandoned. Both the lack of space within the clinic and the desire to put the building to good use, encouraged the Saint Jean de Dieu Fondation to commission the project.

The challenge was to convert the building for new all-year-round uses while following strict heritage building regulations. While the envelope has been discreetly restored outside, the conversion is more evident inside where the space is fitted out and the ground floor lowered.

 

 

Inspired by the existing layout, the interior revolves around a peripheral bench that accommodates the technical services and opens up the central space. Implanted in the heart of the garden, the newly revived space is now available for art classes, sport sessions, games, talks and events.

In order to adapt the greenhouse to its new vocation, the team lowered the ground level as the initial height was too low and it was impossible to raise the volume. To differentiate the space from its predecessor, the team decided to play on materiality. The surfaces located on the newly lowered level are marked with terrazzo and those located on the original level in wood, the material that covered the old ground—a testimony to the past. Reused bricks were covered in cast-in-place concrete and windows were double-glazed for improved thermal conditions, without modifying the building envelope.

 

Pres Comm Cp 1.50

Forme 3d Model Yellowtrace

Forme Horticultural Greenhouse Paris Photo Giaime Meloni Yellowtrace 13


[Images courtesy of Forme Architecture. Photography by Giaime Meloni.]

 

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