This project is about upgrading a normal waste deposit center to a place where social interactions are possible. It all came from an experience where I was throwing away my old bicycle, and suddenly a guy asked me if he could get it, fix it and give it to his children. Well why not? In the contemporary society, we throw away what is no longer of use to us. There is another option than immediately considering those things as waste. African and South-American countries teach us, that with a bit of imagination and work, these objects can be fixed or used for another application.

So this is all about our vision of waste. Recycling should be placed after reuse or deformation. Today mostly artist are dealing with this idea, and architecture is following behind. But reusing materials is also getting an economic interest. The program of this extension is to create a forum where these materials can be traded, transformed and the new products sold.

Furthermore, the implantation of this waste collection center is on a river actually being renaturated and transformed in a nature reserve. So linking the center to this project is natural, and it could become the base for exploring the reserve.

Near to an economic activity zone, this becomes the contrary of the supermarket. And if associations can sell food and drinks in front of supermarkets on weekends to fill up their budget, this place is following the example in providing space for association life like youth groups.

The complete presentation in french.

Team project with Gabriel Arnaud