Architects: Peripheriques Architectes
Area: 4,567 m²
Year: 2015
Photography: Luc Boegly
Lead Architects: Anne-Françoise Jumeau, Emmanuelle Marin, David Trottin
Project Managers: Juliette Bonnamy, Charlotte Lefebvre
Project Team: Claire Gaudin, Julie-Laure Anthonioz, Alfredo Luvison, Claire Oiry, Pédro Garcia Piqueras, Emily Murphy, Timothée Kazmierczak, Pierre Tignon, Camille Isaac-Dognin, Charline Lalane, Karine Bergevin, Guillaume Guilbert, Typhaine Lermite
Technical Engineering: Egis Océan Indien
Acoustics: Peutz & Associés
Landscape: Zone Up
Client: SEDRE
City: Saint-Paul
Country: Réunion
The Media Library St Paul, designed by Peripheriques Architectes in Saint-Paul, Ile de la Réunion, stands as significant architectural and cultural landmark, completed in 2015. The building, a 34-meter cube positioned between the sea and mountains, features facades that resemble stacked book pages. These facade not only provide a distinctive visual identity but also offer practical benefits like solar shading and natural ventilation. The interior includes a lobby, garden, and terraces, with ceilings adorned with images that reflect the heritage of Reunion, creating a welcoming space for the community.
As a gateway to Saint-Paul, the Media Library St Paul serves as a key urban element, designed to establish a strong identity within its landscape. Beyond its cultural functions, the building enhances its surroundings through its emphasis on information, education, and a striking design that marks the entrance to the city. The library’s role extends beyond its immediate use, contributing to the broader urban fabric and elevating the city’s architectural presence.
Situated between the sea and mountains, the building is shaped like a 34-meter cube. Its role as an urban landmark is emphasizes by a design vocabulary that evokes the “book” medium. The facade feature a series of undulating lines reminiscent of stacked book pages, which also function as solar shading. These elements filter light and help maintain thermal comfort within the building. Additionally, the facade include louvered window blades that facilitate natural ventilation.
In this “book,” certain pages open like eyes, creating distinct chapters within the structure. These include the media center’s lobby, a garden, and several terraces on the upper levels, offering views of the Indian Ocean. The ceilings on each level display images by Michal Batory, illustrating media and Reunion’s cultural heritage.
On the ground floor, originally shaped planted islets are bordered by benches, inviting visitors to pause and relax. The garden integrates the media center into a pleasant experience within the district.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: 157 Chau. Royale, Saint-Paul 97460, Réunion
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
