Provins Police Station by Ameller & Dubois
Standing close to the Porte Nord in Provins, in Seine-et-Marne, the police station designed by Ameller & Dubois occupies a triangular plot opening onto the esplanade. The outcome of a competition launched in 2004, the project was inaugurated on 13 July 2010.
The building appears to lift off the ground thanks to a ground floor clad in local stone, which contrasts with the dark cladding of the upper floors. The impression of elevation is heightened by a transparent band beneath the white concrete surround. The function of the building gives the project a certain gravity.
The metal brise-soleil screens make the building at once reassuringly secure and attentive to the life of the town. Set 60 cm from the façade, the veil they form safeguards the confidentiality of the police station's activities without creating an opaque mass.
Three large openings enliven the main façade, lighting specific spaces such as the meeting room and the gym, and offering views of the town's heritage. The other three façades are finished in white concrete, relieved only by lintels, window reveals and sills. A planted patio is concealed behind the screen.
The east façade follows the shape of the plot, creating an impression of rotation between the base and the main volume above. Structurally, Ameller & Dubois opted for a post-and-beam frame to ensure flexibility.
Inside, the interplay of shadow and light comes from dark furniture, flooring and wall finishes, while the ceiling, like the main façade, is light in tone.
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- © Ameller & Dubois
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