A delicate harmony of solids and voids

Taillandier Architectes Associés

The apartment building instantly stands out from the offices en the trio of buildings designed by Taillandier Architectes Associés for the Cartoucherie ecodistrict in Toulouse. its corner projects like the prow of ship, proud, majectic and graphic.

Its light beige colour marks a strong contrast with the dark anthracite of the openings. The irregular positioning of these voids, as though torn from the flesh of the monolithic building, draws the onlooker's eye, piquing their curiosity. The ultra-contemporary interplay of solids and cavities, suspension and materiality, full of contrasts, is not lacking in softness, however. The search for a certain degree of reassuring, welcoming sensuousness was, indeed, one of the architects’

objectives. Thermoreal-Gebrik terracotta brick panels give the façade this sense of hospitable authenticity and help it fit in with the architectural history of the city of Toulouse. Here, the matt brick gently absorbs the light, while the polished concrete of the neighbouring buildings reflects it brightly. The former soothes while the latter stimulates. And while the white chromatic effect is an identifying feature of the block, the skin of the façades establishes the differences between each building. This emphasises

the unity of the block as a whole, without negating the clear distinction between residential units and offices. As good on the eye as it is for the heart.

L'eclat office, Toulouse, FR - Taillandier Architectes Associés - Thermoreal®-Gebrik® from TERREAL range