{"id":12081,"date":"2025-06-30T17:50:35","date_gmt":"2025-06-30T10:50:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cstc.vn\/blogtsk\/nas-architecture-revives-17th-century-chapel-in-southern-france-as-third-place-library\/"},"modified":"2025-06-30T17:50:35","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T10:50:35","slug":"nas-architecture-revives-17th-century-chapel-in-southern-france-as-third-place-library","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cstc.vn\/blogtsk\/nas-architecture-revives-17th-century-chapel-in-southern-france-as-third-place-library\/","title":{"rendered":"NAS architecture revives 17th-century chapel in southern france as third-place library"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"wow wow-yellow\">NAS architecture links chapel to library extension in france<\/h2>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In the small Provencal village of Rochefort-du-Gard, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/tag\/architecture-in-france\/\"><strong>France<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/tag\/nas-architecture\/\"><strong>NAS architecture<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0reclaims a forgotten corner of the historic center with La Source, a third-place <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/tag\/library-architecture-and-design\/\"><strong>library<\/strong><\/a> that transforms the long-abandoned Saint-Joseph Chapel into a cultural space. Framing a modest square at the intersection of Rue de l\u2019\u00c9glise and Rue du Grand Pont, the hybrid project weaves together a contemporary library extension with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/tag\/renovation-architecture-and-design\/\"><strong>restored<\/strong><\/a> 17th-century <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/tag\/church-architecture-and-design\/\"><strong>chapel<\/strong><\/a>, now home to a digital <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/tag\/museums-galleries\/\"><strong>museum<\/strong><\/a>. With folding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/tag\/glass-art-and-design\/\"><strong>glass<\/strong><\/a> doors that fully open onto the square and a new footbridge reconnecting the two structures, La Source aims to revitalize the heart of the village through architecture and access to culture.<\/p>\n<p>all images by <a href=\"https:\/\/severinmalaud.com\/\">Severin Malaud<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wow wow-yellow\">accordion-style folding glass doors link inside and out<\/h2>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Originally built between 1638 and 1734 using salvaged stones from the ruined Castellas Castle, the Saint-Joseph Chapel has played many roles over the centuries, from hermitage to town hall, school, and administrative office. But after its closure in 2017 due to structural risks, it stood vacant, flanked by a derelict barn and facing an underused public space. <a href=\"https:\/\/nasarchitecture.com\/\"><strong>Montpellier-based<\/strong><\/a> NAS architecture\u2019s intervention turns this previously neglected site into a welcoming cultural ensemble, using preservation and contemporary design to support the ongoing transformation of Rochefort-du-Gard\u2019s historic center.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The team conceives the ground floor of the library as an extension of the public square. Its north-facing facade is equipped with accordion-style folding glass doors that, when opened, enable open-air events and informal community gatherings. This gesture is supported structurally by a concrete base that spans more than 15 meters without interruption, demonstrating how material decisions enable civic openness. Bush-hammered to develop a stony texture that resonates with local masonry, the concrete also recalls the historical architecture of the French village. On the upper floor, a wooden post-and-beam structure introduces warmth and lightness. Here, a sloping metal roof lowers toward the square, aligning the new volume with the scale and geometry of the adjacent chapel while subtly framing the urban void.<\/p>\n<p>NAS architecture reclaims a forgotten corner of the historic center with La Source<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wow wow-yellow\">wood panels clad the interior of La Source<\/h2>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>From the square, a pedestrian footbridge leads visitors across to the rehabilitated Saint-Joseph Chapel. Reinforced with new tension rods and treated with a soft patina wash, the chapel retains its raw stone textures while integrating new wood furnishings that house digital equipment and define an open director\u2019s office. A single pendant light marks the center of the space, offering a minimal but deliberate intervention that respects the chapel\u2019s vaulted character while supporting its new function as a digital museum.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>At ground level, the same stone-like paving from the square flows indoors, anchoring a central service spine with concrete columns. These support a modular layout, where utility spaces, like restrooms, reception, and circulation, are discreetly enclosed in timber. The upper level offers a distinct atmosphere, where pine rafters and panels form a calm ceiling for reading and study. Timber portals guide sightlines toward the square, subtly aligning built form with human experience. Throughout the building, NAS architecture uses wood paneling to provide a unified, warm backdrop, allowing books and cultural programming to capture the eye.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Beyond its material choices and careful detailing, La Source embodies a larger civic ambition. By integrating heritage preservation with new cultural programming, like the year-round educational workshops planned in the digital museum, the project actively responds to a local context marked by demographic shifts and a fading town center.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>the third-place library transforms the long-abandoned Saint-Joseph Chapel into a cultural space<\/p>\n<p>framing a modest square at the intersection of Rue de l\u2019\u00c9glise and Rue du Grand Pont<\/p>\n<p>the hybrid project weaves together a contemporary library extension with the restored 17th-century chapel<\/p>\n<p>\t<!-- CLOSE ARTICLE CONTENT --><\/p>\n<div class=\"fullwidth-image\">\n<div class=\"layout-box\">\n<div class=\"page-content\">\n<p>folding glass doors that fully open onto the square<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>\t<!-- OPEN ARTICLE CONTENT -->\t<\/p>\n<p>a footbridge reconnects the two structures<\/p>\n<p>NAS architecture\u2019s intervention turns this previously neglected site into a welcoming cultural ensemble<\/p>\n<p>now home to a digital museum, the chapel was built between 1638 and 1734<\/p>\n<p>throughout the building, NAS architecture uses wood paneling<\/p>\n<p>the upper level offers a distinct atmosphere<\/p>\n<p>\t<!-- CLOSE ARTICLE CONTENT --><\/p>\n<div class=\"fullwidth-image\">\n<div class=\"layout-box\">\n<div class=\"page-content\">\n<p>pine rafters and panels form a calm ceiling for reading and study<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>\t<!-- OPEN ARTICLE CONTENT -->\t<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>project info:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>name:<\/strong> Third-Place Library \u2018La Source\u2019<br \/>\n<strong>architect:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/nasarchitecture.com\/\">NAS architecture<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/nas_architecture\/\">@nas_architecture<\/a><br \/>\n<strong>location: <\/strong>Rochefort-du-Gard, France<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>photographer: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/severinmalaud.com\/\">Severin Malaud<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/severinmalaud\/\">@severinmalaud<\/a><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>designboom has received this project from our\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/readers-submit\"><em>DIY submissions<\/em><\/a><em>\u00a0feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/readers\/\"><em>here.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/architecture\/nas-architecture-17th-century-chapel-southern-france-la-source-third-place-library-06-30-2025\/\">NAS architecture revives 17th-century chapel in southern france as third-place library<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/\">designboom | architecture &amp; design magazine<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NAS architecture links chapel to library extension in france \u00a0 In the small Provencal village of Rochefort-du-Gard, France, NAS architecture\u00a0reclaims a forgotten corner of the historic center with La Source, a third-place library that transforms &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[142],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v16.7 - 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