Mateo Arquitectura

A report dedicated to The Factory and Josep Lluís Mateo broadcasted on France 2 for Télématin

On past January 26th a filmed interview to Josep lluís Mateo at “La Factory” building in Paris was broadcasted on Channel France 2 for Télématin.

The transcription into English is already available:

Opening music – Sylvie Adigard joins William Lemergy on the set.

Introduction to the report:

William Lemergy: It’s true, it was all happening once down on Île Seguin, in Boulogne-Billancourt… It was a real hive of activity! There used to be factories there. It was a city block that was coveted by many developers, and a fair number of architects were on the scene. And you chose this architect in particular. Why?

Sylvie Adigard: Well, firstly because he’s known all over the world. His name is Josep Lluís Mateo, and he’s from Barcelona. He’s designed lots of housing and office projects in northern Europe, he’s behind the Barcelona Convention Centre and is currently working on the Film Theatre of Catalonia. He’s quite… atypical!

William Lemergy: In what way?

Sylvie Adigard: Because he’s a man who lives space.

William Lemergy: I’d say that’s a good thing, for an architect.

Sylvie Adigard: Would you? I’d say it’s essential.

William Lemergy: So there was a competition?

Sylvie Adigard: Yes, And Mateo’s design won. Île Seguin is a highly specific site. It’s beside Boulogne Billancourt and used to be occupied by Renault factories. Renault left the site in 1992, the factory was demolished in 2004 and 2005: it was a huge building site. So, what was to be done with it? Well, they’re already building dwellings, offices, a park covering 7 hectares, spaces for art. Who’s in charge? Jean Nouvel is coordinating it all. Then various well-known architects are involved in the design of the buildings. Josep Lluís Mateo is responsible for an office building, and what a building it is! Wait till you see it! It’s a kind of high point, a technical feat…

William Lemergy: Does it stand at the end of the city block?

Sylvie Adigard: No, it stands at the crossroads of two major streets. Look, it’s up already; it’s incredible [image projected on the screen]. It looks like a boat. Technically, it’s a great achievement. What’s more, you feel really comfortable inside it. I visited it before anyone else. Perhaps we could go and live in it?

William Lemergy: You and me, out of the question! Let’s take a look!

The report starts:

Voice-over: Île Seguin, in the Rives de Seine district, a trapezium in the west Boulogne Billancourt suburbs of Paris, and an office building on the corner of two streets… It’s huge. Behind the project is a man: Josep Lluís Mateo, one of the 40 architects who are giving this district a thorough renovation.

Josep Lluís Mateo: Light is fundamental. Office buildings obviously need to relate to the outside, to the light. Here, we worked with light in the composition of all these irregular windows, giving each floor 20 different types. This gives a dynamic view of the light inside, of the space, which I find much more interesting than if we’d just designed lengthwise windows.

Voice-over: Josep Lluís Mateo has given priority to views, light and the materials. The concrete structure is clad with metal sheet, with iron that will turn red over time, raw materials. It makes you hold your breath; the volumes speak.

Josep Lluís Mateo: I’m interested in working with the volumes, not just the surface. That produces a more sculptural way of working with the building. We changed the lines, made folds, created perforations…

Voice-over: Light, space, materials: these are the threads connecting all the buildings designed by this Barcelona architect: housing estates in Holland, a film theatre in his own city, housing projects in Bordeaux… The man is everywhere, and his architecture both respects people and is in line with city planning, being there without imposing itself.

Josep Lluís Mateo: The internal logic of the building is clarity. I like this as a principle because ultimately it creates greater freedom of use. It makes the building much user-friendlier.

End of the report and comment by the presenter, William Lemergy:

William Lemergy: Oh yes, of course—from your office you have a view of the Eiffel Tower!