Golden Cube in Paris by LA Architectures

For some time now I have been presenting works by leading international architects, and that will continue over the coming weeks, but Actuarchi also likes to put young architects in the spotlight. As part of the refurbishment of the Palais de Justice in Paris, LA Architectures, the practice of Linda Gilardone and Axelle Acchiardo, was commissioned, following a competition, to design a visitor pavilion.

This cube breaks with the architecture of its surroundings. The duo set themselves three requirements that seemed essential to them: to create a strong signal in terms of communication, to express sustainability and ecology, and to provide a high-quality temporary space. The cube was chosen as the symbol that best represents moral justice: through its form and its evenness, it conveys stability, solidity, and respect and fairness towards others. It also captures the spirit of duality found in a court of law, through the opposition of inside and outside.

The structure is based on a cubic grid of voids. Thanks to its terraces and belvederes it offers specific views over the site, fulfilling its role as a window onto the building works. Wrapped in a light, translucent skin of bamboo screens, its cladding makes the building ever-changing: a golden cube by day, and by night a cut-out form, with the lighting clearly picking out the individual volumes.

To borrow a phrase from Romain Remaud, a doctoral student in art history, "buildings must forge emotional bonds with their surroundings". Our pair of architects share his view.

This jewel box is intended to let visitors see the site, so that they are not excluded from changes to the city and are less affected by the nuisance of the works. The site hoarding will be a 2-metre-high metal fence, with small peepholes to satisfy the curiosity of passers-by.

The building stands on the edge of boulevard Douaumont, at the corner of the site. It will present the future courthouse to a specific audience through graphic displays, models and films; one can imagine a time-lapse film of the construction work, shot from a fixed point of view. As envisaged by the maîtrise d'ouvrage (the client), news of events will be relayed by a change in the colour of the façade.

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