In 1977 Richard Rogers set up his architectural office after completing a prefabricated exposed steel structure gallery in France — Centre Pompidou. In 2020 he stepped down from his office with another prefabricated exposed steel structure gallery in France as his final project.
Project Information
Project: Richard Rogers’ Drawing Gallery
Location: Château La Coste, Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade, France
Completion: 2021
Architect: Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
Architect of record: Demaria Architecture
Steel fabricator: Bysteel, Portugal
Internal area: 120m²
Type: Gallery
Drawing Legend
Steel tube exoskeleton; prefabricated; space frame with Pratt trusses on sides; cantilevered from one side. Painted like the Golden Gate Bridge to make sure you could not miss it.
Pivot; balancing point for the seesaw-like structure. The building touches the ground lightly on a single axis.
Foundations; reinforced concrete.
Retaining wall; reinforced concrete.
Tension rods with fork heads; galvanised steel. Anchors structure to foundations.
Cladding; steel panels; satin finish.
Floor; poured resin; with recessed electrical sockets.
Internal finish; white painted plasterboard. With structural expression delegated to the outside, inside is calm and pays respect to the exhibits and the view.
Track lighting
Glazing; 5×4 m, full-height; three panels, side panels fixed, middle panel sliding. Frames the view over the treetops towards Luberon hills on the horizon.
Suspended access footbridge.
HVAC system.
Balcony.