Crxnolxne, conference hall

Orléans, 2019
Parliaments, assemblies, or other types of discussion spaces have usually been thought of from an exclusively human point of view. Debates are always led by humans around human issues. But the latest revelations from science, ecology, and climatology studies are calling into question the viability of this anthropocentric policy in favor of other, more plural and diverse cosmovisions.

Crxnolxne tries to echo these new perspectives in the construction of the new auditorium for the FRAC Center – Val de Loire museum, the third collection of modern and contemporary architecture after MoMA and the Center Pompidou. To achieve this, the project is organized through three fundamental design strategies:

1. Multispecies enclosure: The skin that surrounds and defines the scope of the new auditorium is built through a multiplicity of elements against the typically modern homogenization. Flowers, branches, shells, toys, or plastic animals coexist in the exterior enclosure demanding their presence in the debates.

2. Transparency: Debates should not only involve those directly interested. To do this, the exterior enclosure opens through large windows or openings that open the field of vision to those who are outside, literally and symbolically, inviting them to participate while moving away from the closed image characteristic of this type of space.

3. Assembly: In the same way, the classic unidirectional organization of auditoriums, with the focus on a single speaker, makes the emergence of horizontal forms of discussion difficult. The project incorporates as its main furniture a perimeter bench that snakes around the museum structure and enables a multitude of focal points and crossed dialogues in addition to freeing up the central space, thus allowing the incorporation of other forms of representation at specific moments.
Architects:
TAKK, Mireia Luzárraga + Alejandro Muiño

Collaborators:
Andrea Muniain, Jesús Meseguer, Naiara Albizua, Ayelen Peressini

Client:
FRAC Centre-Val de Loire

Exhibition:
2nd Biennale d’Achitecture d’Orléans

Curator:
Abdelkader Damani

Photo:
José Hevia