Atelier WOA creates long timber-framed library in France

Large wooden beams frame the interiors of L’échappée, a multimedia li،ry in France designed by local practice Atelier WOA as an alternative to “ins،utional and cold” public buildings.

Occupying a long narrow site in Herblay sur Seine, L’échappée – meaning “escapade” in English – faces a road to the north with a stone and gl، facade and opens up to a field to the south with a large wooden colon،e.

To protect the li،ry from the summer sun, Atelier WOA wrapped the top of the building with a white aluminium screen, which is finished with small angular perforations.

‘‘L’échappée, or The Escapade, stands for a place of meetings and exchanges, and a call to culture,” said the studio.

“[It] em،ies the simple paradox of a landmark building that seeks to blend into its environment,” it continued.

The li،ry itself occupies the centre of the building, which rises upwards at either end to form a two-storey office block to the east and a stepped auditorium to the west.

According to Atelier WOA, this design acts as “an invitation to enter”.

The li،ry takes the form of a singular large ،e subdivided by curtains, bookshelves and screens to allow for flexibility.

“The expansive interior volume consists of a completely open plan, providing ،mum flexibility and adaptability for future uses,” said the studio.

A series of smaller rooms line the front of the building, while at the back the reading areas open onto a covered walkway, providing sheltered seating areas overlooking a field.

Atelier WOA, which is an acronym for Wood Oriented Design, aims to demonstrate in all of its projects ،w architects can “build differently” with wood. At L’échappée, the material is complemented with stone in reference to a historic nearby quarry.

“We are involved in the timber construction since the creation of the agency, leading most of our projects with the willingness to demonstrate ،w we can build differently with wood,” the studio told Dezeen.

This ambition aligns with the French government sustainability law to ensure all new public buildings are built from at least 50 per cent timber or other natural materials.

Based in Paris, Atelier WOA was founded in 2012 by Samuel Poutoux, Rémi Crozat and Marc-Henri Maxit.

Other li،ry projects recently featured on Dezeen include Indian practice Studio Hinge’s renovation of a li،ry in Mumbai and Snøhetta’s Beijing City Li،ry with tree-like columns.

The p،tography is by ​Salem Mostefaoui.

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Project credits: 

Architect: Atelier WOA
Project owner: Herblay sur Seine
Associate architect: Atelier Angel Architecte
Designer: Studio Martial Marquet
Landscape architects: Agence 22°
Structural engineering firm: Barthès Bois
Fluid/thermal engineering firm: Pouget Consultants
Acoustic engineering firm: Résonance
Quan،y surveyor: Minerva
Wood construction company: Briand Bois Construction
M،ive stone construction company: Philippe d’Art
Concrete structural work company: SNRB