Grand Large Gymnasium

Project description

Construction of the Grand Large Gymnasium in Dunkirk

A Structuring Facility within an Urban Project
The gymnasium project is an integral part of a large urban project in the ZAC du Grand Large. Located on the site of the former shipyards and French workshops for nearly a century, this neighborhood aims to provide a new living space for the residents of Dunkirk. The urban project, led by the Nicolas Michelin & Associés agency, places particular emphasis on the quality of public spaces. The Dunkirk gymnasium is integrated into this new public space as a true beacon of industrial heritage.

Staging of Industrial Aesthetics
The integration of the gable from the former fitting workshops, a symbol of the industrial and social heritage of Dunkirk, helped define the building’s volume. The choice of materials—red brick for the façade and metallic gray—recalls the contrast of industrial architecture and its power. Other materials complement the building, providing light openings: to the west, the stands are illuminated by a polycarbonate façade; the north gable closes the building with a lower glazed section and a translucent upper part.

The sheds ensure that the gymnasium receives appropriate natural light.
They allow sports activities during the day without energy consumption and contribute to the industrial metaphor embodied in the design.

A Public Space Integral to a Emerging Social Life
The gymnasium project was designed to both integrate and structure the future neighborhood. Its design as a monumental building ensures a strong presence in the urban space. This gymnasium-monument, which carries the colors of the industrial past, also evokes the spirit of teamwork that once animated the industrial workshops and now characterizes sports activity.
The Piazzetta in front of the gymnasium extends the sports, cultural, and civic activities into the public space.