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This project, in the municipality of Charleval, combines attention to local architectural heritage and basic rights to improve the life of a community
The aim of this project was to give a rural area a multidisciplinary medical center, while preserving – and reminding local people about – the heritage and fundamental identity of Charleval and Provence. Located in the Durance Valley and designed by Atelier COMBAS Architectes, the Charleval health center occupies part of the local urban fabric.
Its construction draws on local knowledge and skills, with the facility built using raw earth sourced on site and designed in a style that weaves together tradition and modernity by including contemporary elements in architecture with a vernacular flavor.
The north-facing façade draws on the architectural vocabulary of the typical local homes. A succession of large glazed arches at ground level recalls the entrances to the buildings along the streets of Charleval. On the upper floor, rectangular windows recall a typical local home’s. The same is true of the stone footing, used to lift the bottom level above street level, which was quarried and worked locally.
On the south-facing side, arches reappear in the striking double-height glazed openings, which give a public dimension to the building.
When patients enter the center, both the building and its philosophy instantly reveal themselves. The structure is linear with an architectural flow that clearly defines the subdivision of the interiors and their distribution. The walls run transversely to the flow of the building to create a regular, repeated grid, which gives a modularity to the interiors, with each room then modeled according to its particular medical specialization.
This approach makes the flexible organization of spaces possible in the interests of responding to the changing needs of the facility and bolstering the accessibility of the project.
Collaboration with Filiater, which was in charge of the structural engineering and supplied raw earth-based construction materials, made it possible to use the soil onsite as raw material for the center. The raw earth was used in two different ways: as part of a mix created onsite for foundations, floors, and shear walls, and as load-bearing adobe block walls along the façades. Earth was therefore a distinctive feature of the project, anchoring it to its setting with its colors and qualities.
Following the principle of environmental resilience, the outdoor areas preserve the characteristics of the site. Through the use of earth and stone paving, the ground has remained permeable. The courtyard opens onto the street, connecting the urban space with the center and inviting people to step inside the facility.
The linear design of the building means that the rooms are double-aspect, which helps natural ventilation. The windows themselves let in ample natural light, while deep eaves provide shade and protect the façade from overheating. The use of natural materials, such as raw earth, bricks, stone, and timber, contributed to reducing the project’s carbon footprint. And timber was used extensively for the interiors, as the finish for the stairs and to frame the openings in the façade, for example.
With its simple style inspired by the local building tradition, the project was a test case, the cost of which wasn’t determined as much by the building materials as by the labor required. Funding from the local government to provide the area with a multidisciplinary healthcare facility, which was seen as essential for the wellbeing of the Charleval community, mainly went towards supporting people’s work and skills. This reflects the true spirit of the project, which was all about shared knowledge and community involvement.
Location: Charleval, France
Completion: 2024
Net Usable Area: 725 m2
Site Area: 1 500 m2
Client: Town Hall of Charleval en Provence
Architect: Atelier COMBAS Architectes
Structural Consultant: FILIATER
Photography by Javier Callejas, courtesy of Atelier COMBAS Architectes
