Following a competition launched in 2023, Albi town council has now awarded the contract for the “Espace Lapérouse” project. This post, which follows on from the December 2024 post presenting the project, gives us an insight into the selected firm and some of the elements of their proposal.
Selected contractor
SAS Projectiles has been selected as the main contractor for the “Espace Lapérouse” project. This firm will lead the project, which includes not only the renovation of the building housing the future “Espace Lapérouse”, but also all the interior fittings and the scenography of the visitor trail.
The firm was recently chosen to build the new Carnac prehistory museum. Other awarded projects include the Arromanches Landing Museum, and the restructuring of the Château de Villers-Cotterêts, home to the prestigious Cité Internationale de la Langue Française.
Key elements of their proposal
L’Escale Lapérouse, which will cover around 2,200 m², will include reception areas (reception area, boutique, café/tea room), a scenographic tour of the collections, a temporary exhibition area, a space for educational workshops, a conference room with a capacity of around 100 people, administrative workspaces, technical areas and several green outdoor spaces.
The former treasury is actually made up of two adjacent buildings. The “original” building (described in Albi as a “maison bourgeoise”) will be renovated, and will house the entrance and reception area, a boutique and a tea room. A forecourt will also be created at the entrance, inviting visitors to explore the worlds of Escale Lapérouse.
The building extension, dating from the 60s and 70s, will give way to an “urban archipelago” made up of four buildings, linked by a transparent distribution system called “la faille”, in reference to the archaeological site where the wreck of “la Boussole” lies in Vanikoro, and in which the spaces dedicated to the public and the visitor trail will be deployed.
The cost of the project is estimated at 15.4 million euros (excluding VAT).
Timetable
Work is scheduled to start by the end of 2025. Opening to the public is scheduled for 2029.
More information will follow in future posts.
Source : Internet website of the Albi town council : mairie-albi.fr, section “Ouverture au monde” and “Le projet Lapérouse”