The Forcalquier dojo, France

Black belt

Architect: Christophe Flachaire Architecte DPLG

Technique: VMZ Interlocking panel

Aspect: ANTHRA-ZINC®

Photographer: Paul Kozlowski - Christophe Flachaire

The Forcalquier dojo combines finesse and brutality and gives overall coherence to the Alain Prieur sports centre. By forcibly integrating into the sports complex of this small Provencal town, the Forcalquier dojo provides a touch of subtle modernity, clearly expressing the energetic vitality of judo, a sophisticated combat sport and martial art.

The association of district councils chose the site for its proximity to the existing facilities (gym, football centre and swimming pool), making this the main centre for sports in the area. However, several constraints had to be overcome with the site. Firstly, the narrowness of the plot, a long narrow space between the large box shape

of the old gym and a group of smaller buildings forming an “L”. Nor was it easy to create an architectural project in a peri-urban context lacking in character, occupied by buildings that had been erected at different stages, with no overall urban plan. So Christophe Flachaire needed a large pinch of daring and conviction to create a beautiful sculpted monolith on this site. At a first glance, one might think of brutalism, the brutalism of a selfsufficient object that takes up position disrespectfully, ostensibly. The building plays subtly with the constraint of the sloped plot.

A square in lawn is revealed at the top of the plot. It connects the old and the new at ground level. The north façade of the dojo is modest. The huge openings are placed on the ground. The main entrance is marked by a recess in the facade, in front of which stands a tall cypress tree. To the right, through a narrow triangular opening, we discover that the dojo just grazes the neighbouring building. When we walk along the east gable of the building, we can see that its connection with the ground has been cleverly designed. When we get to the corner of the south facade, we suddenly realise the richness of volume and of the envelope. The volume is no longer a black box. The roof seems to fly away and the oblique line of the gable responds to the sloped facade of the old gym by blending seamlessly with the slope of its roof. This oblique line creates a transition to the huge south facade, which gives the dojo its almost monumental scale.Slender concrete poles along the edge of the building elegantly support it, creating a lightweight impression. We discover a street, apparently a predictable space between two walls.

On closer examination, we notice it is less narrow because there is a distance between the recessed lower wall and the poles that creates a shaded passage. What we first see is the shadow created by the overhang of the openings, a shadow that is darker than the black zinc skin and sharply contrasts with the bright strips of colour inside these suspended boxes.

« In an environment where the individual opposes society, we try to propose alternatives for a sensible and sensitive architecture. »

All these openings are the same size but some are vertical and some are horizontal, creating a relief that reveals the highly rigorous layout of the facades. We are led to think of international judo competitions and the strange bird’s eye view of the match area seen through cameras suspended high above the ground that reveal the structure and texture of the tatami mats upon which the athletes compete. So the reference is simple and direct. A tatami mat is a rectangle twice as long as it is wide. The tatami mats can be installed in a single direction (Fusyugijiki) or in alternate directions (Syugijiki). Here the alternate layout was chosen, making it possible to experiment with the texture of the material, woven cane mat for the actual tatami mat, and here, zinc in 4 juxtaposed slender interlocking strips creating each base panel. The successful combination of these standard modules and the hollow joints discreetly visible between the strips of zinc but very visible around each panel, give rhythm and finesse to the overall design. In this context, the choice of a single material for the envelope was crucial. Without giving the industrial, neutral appearance of aluminium or lacquered steel, zinc, a discreetly noble material with a natural matte texture and perfect for all flashing details and surrounds, makes the envelope vibrate beneath the Provencal sun and makes this perilous architectural exercise credible.

The same Japanese-style sobriety can be observed inside the building. The simple layout plays on symmetry and the dimensions of the main martial arts room resonate in the changing rooms and offices. The stands, long narrow walkways that are bright yet subtle, add to this streamlined effect. The architect gives pride of place to introversion, with simple cream-coloured blinds in each opening, reminiscent of the traditional partitions in Japanese houses. The intense light from outside is perfectly contained. The viewless openings placed at different heights “decorate” the walls. The overall impression conveyed by this building is one of precision, that of its layout, which creates a natural link with its surroundings, that of its simple, pertinent form, that of its envelope, which is like a discreet signal of its interior, and, finally, that of its interior layout in keeping with the purpose and state of mind of the users. This example demonstrates that with a strong guiding principle, real conceptual rigour and the invaluable support of an open-minded client, the quality of sports facilities can be significantly improved.

Christophe Flachaire Architecture Studio:

In an increasingly complex global environment, where the individual opposes society, the “star system” opposes culture and communication opposes know-how, where confusion reigns between “to be” and “to have”, between work and profit, between rigour and flippancy - and because we believe that sensible and sensitive architecture can only be practised on these premises - we seek to propose alternatives. The studio draws inspiration from the Japanese “Ki” concept that expresses energy and the breath of life, and its work is based on this principle that strives to connect men, women, clients, projects and purposes through human values and professionalism. Sharing experiences, skills and energies, replacing “I” with “we”. The studio is dedicated to producing projects rooted in all these realities and aims to integrate and acquire knowledge. We include an ethical dimension in our work and believe that architecture (in the broad sense) is not a luxury.

« Through our projects, we are strongly committed to building a better world in all its dimensions: aesthetic, technical and human. »