CITY CENTER PAVILION AND MAIN SQUARE BY COMAC

A testimony of modern architecture with a strong social purpose

You wouldn’t think modern architecture could find a place in the center of a small village in the South of France where everything is as it was 200 years ago. And yet, Comac Architectes‘ project was chosen for a good reason.

When the small town of Gignac la Nerthe started welcoming people that arrived with the first wave of North African immigration and the people moving from nearby Marseille‘s rough neighborhoods, the city had to develop quickly to respond to the needs of its growing population. During this period, low-cost individual housing appeared and quickly overshadowed the public space, thus creating an urban and social need. By building a long and beautiful corridor that proudly wears the colors of the region, Comac successfully reconnected the city and its inhabitants on several levels.

The straight white line cuts through the new Main Square and gives the city the breath of fresh air it needed. This widely open creation is made to welcome and gather people. It is composed of several nests that host activities, including a playpark, a small theater and a covered space for parties. A few trees and a small canal provide a soothing atmosphere and transform the square into a new source of life for this small town.

But the main purpose of this creation comes from its orientation. The straight axis reconnects deserted spots of the city, such as the town hall main square, the church and an old barn, that has been renovated. A testimony of modern architecture with a strong social purpose: reconnecting the inhabitants of this small town and creating a social link between the old city and the new generation of people arrived with the last immigration waves.