The project stands in Carros ; an industrial area in the north of Nice (French “cote d’azur”). The French electricity society (EDF) meant to make of this emblematic place, its new showroom of the NICEGRID project : a technologic and interactive showcase, explaining the contents of its ecologic approach, and sustainable actions in relation with solar technologies. The room chosen takes place in some dilapidated premises, which supposed a characteristic rough plastic, made of a bare concrete structure, untreated breezeblocks, roamed by nude networks. The stake was to work on the surrounding atmosphere, to exalt its qualities, taking care not to alter its raw nature.
©Steeve Calvo. Published on March 17, 2014.
The banner seemed to be an adequate answer to the program requirement.
The folding screen consists in a thick divider, made of a main wooden structure ( wooden bracket 50/50mm ) receiving a paper coating. The divider runs freely through the existing volume, defining new spaces on its way. Its lopsided walk linked to a variable distance to the concrete walls and the game on its thickness, allows the birth of spaces, perfectly adapted to the program request. The system is thought to give faithfully the most appropriate answer to each part of the program. By generating a made-to-measure place, the installation promotes an organised and intelligible communication, making easier integration of partner’s technologies.
More than being the scenography founding support, the illuminated folding screen includes a real technical dimension. Thanks to its thickness, the divider hides all networks from the sight of the users ( fluids, electicity, but also the heavy technical equipment that requires interactivity systems).