Media Library

MEDIA LIBRARY
BY DOMINIQUE COULON &

ASSOCIÉS
ARCHITECT
Dominique Coulon & associés is a renowned architecture firm based
in Strasbourg, France. Founded by Dominique Coulon in 1989, the firm
has gained international recognition for its innovative and distinctive
architectural designs. They have worked on a wide range of projects
including cultural buildings, educational facilities, housing complexes,
and public spaces.
The firm's approach to architecture emphasizes:

• integration of context
• sustainability
• human experience.
They strive to create buildings that not only respond to their

surroundings but also enhance the quality of life for their users.
Coulon's team often employs bold forms, generous use of natural light,
and dynamic spatial compositions to create engaging and functional
spaces. Their work reflects a commitment to pushing the boundaries of
DOMINIQUE COULON
architectural design while prioritizing the needs and experiences of the
people who inhabit their buildings.
MEDIA LIBRARY
The media library located in Thionville, France is the newest
and most successful library in the city which provides a range
of services and facilities to its fellow users. Besides the fact
that it has a large number of books, magazines, DVDs, and so
on, which address different topics and themes, this media
library features one more though. Furthermore, the digital
resources, like digital books and online databases, provide
opportunities for users to avail of information and resources
remotely since they can do it from home. Besides providing a
diverse selection of books, DVDs and educational materials,
the media library regularly organizes events, workshops and
exhibitions, offering the users a vibrant and interactive
environment to study, gain new knowledge, conduct research
and socialize. To sum up, Thionville's library of media works
very well as an educational and cultural point of contact for
the people within the community, bringing lots of different
information and services to meet the various interests and
needs of its users.
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE
It is known for its modern architecture, designed to be both functional and visually striking. It
often features a wide range of multimedia resources, including books, magazines, CDs, DVDs,
and digital media, catering to various interests and age groups. Additionally, it may offer
multimedia spaces, event areas, and digital services to enhance community engagement and
cultural exchange.
The media library in Thionville, France, is known for its modern architecture, designed to be both functional and visually striking. It
often features a wide range of multimedia resources, including books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, and digital media, catering to various
interests and age groups. Additionally, it may offer multimedia spaces, event areas, and digital services to enhance community
engagement and cultural exchange.
FUNCTIONS
The Media Library in Thionville, France is known for several distinct characteristics:
• Unique Architecture: Designed by Dominique Coulon & Associés, the library features a
wavy facade that resembles an unfolding ribbon. This facade is made of perforated metal
panels that can be raised or lowered to control the amount of sunlight entering the building
. The building also has a green roof and a design that blurs the lines between the interior
and exterior spaces.
Multifunctional Space:
More than just a library, this space is designed to be a "third place" - a place for the
community to gather, learn, and create. It offers a variety of programs and areas that
blend into each other, including:
-A cafe and restaurant

-Exhibition areas
-Music studios -Language labs
-A storytelling area
-Spaces for playing video games -
A plastic arts room
THE INTERIOR
NON-LINEAR LAYOUT: The building uses independent, irregular systems stacked
together, creating a dynamic and visually interesting space that defies
traditional, straight-line design.
FUNCTIONAL "BUBBLES": Specific program areas like storytelling and video games are
housed in distinct, bubble-like spaces offering privacy and a unique atmosphere.The
facade's play of solid and open areas blurs the lines between inside and outside, making
the public space less defined.
SPATIAL EXPERIENCE:
BLURRED BOUNDARIES: The design fosters a sense of fluidity by using
discontinuous floors, ceilings, and an "unfolding envelope" that blurs the
lines between inside and outside.
MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES: The layout offers various routes and viewpoints,

encouraging exploration and discovery within the library.
UNCONVENTIONAL EXPERIENCE: The design challenges traditional ergonomics,

allowing for different postures and interactions with the space, creating a
playful and dynamic atmosphere.
There is also a garden ramp that offers another escape route to the outside, leading upwards to a summer bar, the culminating
point of the architectural promenade. The garden extends the indoor walkway, getting closer to the line of the horizon; the town
disappears, leaving just the crown of plane trees to dialogue with the sky. New uses become possible: people can take a nap, picnic,
read outside, or gather in a group.
The building rests on a principle of independent, irregular systems. Stacking these simple systems, each with their own logic, creates
tension in the space and in how it is read. In this way, the optical perceptive space eludes the Euclidean space and its preference for
straight lines.
The space is fluid, and the multiple routes offer constantly renewed viewpoints. The promenade turns into a process of revealing the
various universes. The unfolding of the outer envelope accentuates this impression of infinite space. In this “ineffable” space, the notion
of gravity seems to disappear – the roof and walls appear to float. This sophistication generates a “plastic acoustic” that lends this new
place an atmosphere which transports and re-examines the relationship with the body and fluidity. There is no unequivocal reading of
the space; the perception one has of it reveals a complexity and an unexpected richness. It is a place of freedom.
CONCLUSION
Indeed, the Media Library in Thionville, France, exemplifies the architectural expertise of Dominique
Coulon and associes.
With its bold design elements, fluid spaces, and emphasis on natural light, the library embodies the
firm's signature style of contemporary architecture fused with a human-centric approach. The Media
Library serves as a testament to the firm's commitment to creating innovative and functional spaces
that enrich communities.

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MEDIA LIBRARY

BY DOMINIQUE COULON &

The firm's approach to architecture emphasizes:

They strive to create buildings that not only respond to their

-A cafe and restaurant

MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES: The layout offers various routes and viewpoints,

UNCONVENTIONAL EXPERIENCE: The design challenges traditional ergonomics,

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