This care and retirement home has been built in the heart of the Normandy bocage near the village of Orbec. The building follows the sloping curve of the hillside, and is visible from the valley.
To reduce the visual impact of this imposing building, we felt it preferable to divide it up. We achieved the desired effect by using the colour green, with the result that the building both blends into the larger landscape and reflects the rural nature of the site. The under-faces of the overhangs and the white walls of the base produce a feeling of lightness.
Each of the living units fits into one section of the building, and all are connected to a south-facing street, backed by the hill. This arrangement gives views through the building from one side to the other, with light punctuating the traffic routes and achieving maximum variety. The colour red destructures the space and adds dynamic. We have avoided using the conventional colours of the hospital environment.
The building has been designed to enhance the living and walking areas. Its strength lies in its relationship with the landscape.
Home for dependent elderly people and nursing home in Orbec, Dominique Coulon & Associés
© Eugeni Pons
Home for dependent elderly people and nursing home in Orbec, Dominique Coulon & Associés
© Eugeni Pons
Home for dependent elderly people and nursing home in Orbec, Dominique Coulon & Associés
© Eugeni Pons
Home for dependent elderly people and nursing home in Orbec, Dominique Coulon & Associés
© Eugeni Pons
Home for dependent elderly people and nursing home in Orbec, Dominique Coulon & Associés
© Eugeni Pons
Home for dependent elderly people and nursing home in Orbec, Dominique Coulon & Associés
© Eugeni Pons
Home for dependent elderly people and nursing home in Orbec, Dominique Coulon & Associés
© Eugeni Pons
Home for dependent elderly people and nursing home in Orbec, Dominique Coulon & Associés
© Eugeni Pons
Home for dependent elderly people and nursing home in Orbec, Dominique Coulon & Associés
© Eugeni Pons
Home for dependent elderly people and nursing home in Orbec, Dominique Coulon & Associés
© Eugeni Pons
Home for dependent elderly people and nursing home in Orbec, Dominique Coulon & Associés
© Eugeni Pons
Home for dependent elderly people and nursing home in Orbec, Dominique Coulon & Associés
© Eugeni Pons
Home for dependent elderly people and nursing home in Orbec, Dominique Coulon & Associés
© Eugeni Pons
Home for dependent elderly people and nursing home in Orbec, Dominique Coulon & Associés
© Eugeni Pons
Home for dependent elderly people and nursing home in Orbec, Dominique Coulon & Associés
© Eugeni Pons
Home for dependent elderly people and nursing home in Orbec, Dominique Coulon & Associés
© Eugeni Pons
Home for dependent elderly people and nursing home in Orbec, Dominique Coulon & Associés
© Eugeni Pons
Home for dependent elderly people and nursing home in Orbec, Dominique Coulon & Associés
© Eugeni Pons
Home for dependent elderly people and nursing home in Orbec, Dominique Coulon & Associés
© Eugeni Pons
Home for dependent elderly people and nursing home in Orbec, Dominique Coulon & Associés
© Eugeni Pons
Site Plan
© Dominique Coulon & Associés
Ground Floor Plan
© Dominique Coulon & Associés
First Floor Plan
© Dominique Coulon & Associés
Second Floor Plan
© Dominique Coulon & Associés
Section
© Dominique Coulon & Associés
Section
© Dominique Coulon & Associés
Diagram
© Dominique Coulon & Associés
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Location: Orbec, France
Client: EPMS Marie du Merle in Orbec
Completion: 2015
Gross Floor Area: 5833 m2
Budget: 12,279,536 €
Architects: Dominique Coulon & Associés
Design Team: David Romero-Uzeda, Olivier Nicollas, Chang Zhang, Javier Gigosos Ruipérez, Pedro Rodríguez Ruipérez, Ania Klukowski, Gautier Duthoit
Construction Project Manager: Emilie Brichard, Jean Scherer
Consultants
Structural: Batiserf Ingénierie
MEP: BET G.Jost
Landscape: Bruno Kubler
Acoustic: Euro sound project
Cost: E3 économie
Suppliers
Façade: DSA Atlantique
Metal Works: R2C
Structure: Gagneraud Construction
Exterior Joinery: ACD Ernoult
Interior Joinery: Perrin
Flooring: Patrizio, Revnor, SEO
Elevators: OTIS
Green Areas: Leblois Environnement
Earthworks: Langevin TP
Finishing: Durand, Jobin Plâtre Moderne
Photography: © Eugeni Pons