Jean Lamour Gymnasium / Studiolada

Architects: Studiolada
Area: 1,410 m²
Year: 2023
Photography: Olivier Mathiotte
Manufacturers: Legrand, Menuiserie Baldini, Scierie Mandray, Tarkett
Lead Architects: Christophe Aubertin and Xavier Géant – Studiolada
Structure: Barthes Bois
Thermal: Fluid’concept
Collaborator: Lucie Lemaire, Louise André
Program / Use / Building Function: Sports facility / Gymnasium
Engineering: SIGMA
City: Nancy
Country: France

The Jean Lamour Gymnasium, designed by Studiolada stands as a testament to sustainable architecture in Nancy, France, it was completed in 2023. Encompassing an area of 1410 m², this gymnasium merges functional design with ecological sensitivity. Its structure, primarily wooden; draws from agricultural influences to span large spaces efficiently, providing expansive interior volumes for sports activities. This design enhances the gym’s acoustic, thermal, and visual comfort but also utilizes local materials and skilled labor, highlighting its commitment to sustainable building practices. The gymnasium’s integration into its sloped urban setting and its internal organization reflect a meticulous approach to bioclimatic architecture, ensuring minimal environmental impact throughout its lifecycle.

The Jean Lamour Gymnasium is a large wooden prism resting on a concrete base. Inspired by agricultural structures, its wooden framework spans large distances, creating extensive interior spaces. This design enhances acoustic, thermal, and visual comfort using local materials and skilled labor, distinguishing it from other sports facilities.

The gymnasium is located on a small, sloped plot below Scarpone Boulevard, neighbored by a middle school, an office building, and a future residential site. It occupies 32m x 36m x 12m, organized by a 2m x 2m x 2m grid that structures all spaces.

The floor plan includes technical rooms like locker rooms and offices on one side, surmounted by two smaller sports rooms offering views of the main sports area. The exterior is clad with large Douglas boards arranged in a pattern inspired by the internal wooden structure, with each facade featuring a single large opening.

A complex wooden framework using only solid wood was employed to achieve a vast interior volume for the main sports court. Composed of 17 gantries with lattice beams, this structure is interconnected by metal connectors, allowing for long spans with massive wood.

The gymnasium’s design meets bioclimatic principles, harmonizing with its environment and employing natural, solid materials to reduce maintenance. The wooden structure, aside from the concrete base, employs simple beams connected dryly, enabling swift and economical construction. This approach yields a positive balance concerning its grey energy, ensuring that the building’s components can be reused at the end of its lifecycle.