Saint Dizier’s Market / Studiolada

Architects: Studiolada
Area: 1465 m²
Year: 2023
Photographs: Olivier Mathiotte, Eric Colin, Christophe Aubertin, SNBR
Manufacturers: Les Metalliers Lorrains, Metallerie Rodriguez, ROCAMAT, Sagards Vosges
Lead Architects: Christophe Aubertin, Aurélie Husson
Structure Engineering: Barthes Bois, C&C Ingénierie
Thermal Consultant: Fluid’ Concept
Acoustic Consultant: Aïda
Design Team: Studioleda
City: Saint-Dizier
Country: France

The Saint-Dizier Market, designed by Studiolada, is a key project in the city’s revitalization under the “Action Cœur de Ville” national plan. Located in the heart of Saint-Dizier, the market aims to reconnect the historical center with modern needs, fostering a local economy through commerce and artisanal work. The design harmonizes contemporary architecture with historical elements, creating a vibrant marketplace for the community.

The city of Saint-Dizier is one of 222 cities committed to the “Action Cœur de Ville” national plan, which aims to enhance the living conditions of inhabitants in medium-sized towns and ensure these towns play a leading role in regional development. Over time, Saint-Dizier’s city center experienced decline while peripheral commercial zones thrived. The market project is a crucial component of the strategy to revitalize the city’s core, aiming to rebuild a local economy centered on commerce and artisanal work.

The market’s location in the heart of the city, with the visibility of the historically protected castle, posed a significant challenge. The design seeks to create a dialogue between contemporary architecture and the ancient city center. It aims to connect the historical center, post-war districts, the central wasteland slated for transformation, and the castle’s park. The marketplace hosts local vendors, including bakers, butchers, fishmongers, and greengrocers, as well as minor catering areas.

Drawing from the city’s history of massive stone construction, the building reinterprets traditional structural approaches by using appropriate materials in their ideal applications. The structure is a mix of stone, wood, and steel, featuring a metallic framework that supports the roof and a suspended floor spanning 30 meters without intermediate supports. Stone facades stabilize the metal grid longitudinally, while the steel grid stabilizes the stone facades laterally. The construction rests on 36 poles buried 12 meters deep, supporting the outer ground beams.

The stone arches interact with the wooden rib vault framework, with the constructive grids defining the volume and shaping the architectural design. The design includes three types of arches: four narrow arches spanning 2 meters, ten medium arches spanning 7 meters, and two large arches spanning 23 meters, all respecting the proportional geometry of a “chain.” These choices highlight the value of craftsmanship and construction artistry, addressing the current decline in construction quality due to a shortage of skilled labor. The project emphasizes the importance of restoring the central role of craftsmen and builders.