L’université de la Citadelle

In touch with the magnificent industrial geography of a harbour, dominated by bricks and ferrous materials, the university faces the large body of water surrounding it by raising a wave of aluminium. This increased proximity is compatible with a school teaching scientific subjects relating to the economy of the sea, such as biochemistry and energy research. All the challenges of the project were reduced to an update of the existing structures. The brick is represented by dyed fibre-reinforced concrete. The university centre offers several units devoted to engineering and business studies. The access to the university is an extension of an existing street. The aluminium roof, consisting of a smooth and homogeneous covering whose grey colour changes with the shades of the sky, curves downward to the street on the city side, and covers several existing buildings. On the harbour side, the façade recreates the alignment and the profile of its contextual environment. The cladding of industrialized brick-coloured elements echoes the industrial aesthetics of the site.
This project was built in three phases, over a period of more than ten years using different contractors. Nevertheless, the consistency of the project has been preserved and the initial impact of the building has not been altered.