On a difficult plot in the historic quarter of the city of Grasse in southern France, the Charles Nègre media library absorbs some preexisting dwellings and an old water reservoir. The 3,600-square-meter building is inserted into the urban fabric of predominantly very narrow streets. Adapting to the steep slope of the terrain, it has entrances at different levels, forming an overhang to increase the floor area of the higher stories.

Wrapped with a double glass skin and thin concrete columns, the facility also offers reading rooms, an auditorium, and exhibition galleries, one of which is devoted to the local photographer Charles Nègre (1820-1880). The main public entrance and the foyer are located in the upper part of the reservoir, which incorporates a square marked by a decorative pool of water.

Foto: Beaudouin Architectes