Architecture Center for regenerative materials

2021
Team point of view
The "Architecture Centre for regenerative materials" is thought as an ecosystem, a place to experiment, sensibilise and produce around the regenerative materials. Firstly, the "Micro-Factory" is a producing place where insulated growing mycelium-based panels are produced on its basements. Growing panels drive us on a post-carbonated direction for construction, facing both the reduction on the use of raw materials and the thermal renovation issue, while transforming empty floors in producing places. Secondly, the "Macro-Factory", is thought as a big experimenting room, where could be built scaled-one prototypes with living materials. The two "Factories" are linked by the "Forum", the reception place, for the daily or the weekly public, thanks to its dormitories and facilities.

Jury point of view
The jury appreciates the general quality of the project, in particular the proposed programming. The question of sustainable materials and the energy renovation of buildings is a real challenge for existing buildings. The production of insulation panels within the building is a very interesting way of using basements. The division of the building into three parts is interesting and demonstrates the capacity of the existing complex to adapt to new programs. The programs developed inside of the building are complementary to each other and work in an eco-systemic way. The project also integrates a reflection on the reuse of construction materials, in an interesting ecosystemic dimension.