La Maison Folie

Visions, Architecture publique, Vol. 5. The Maison Folie de Mons, like the Palais de Tokyo, the Espace Lu in Nantes or the Public Condition in Roubaix, is not concerned with appearing but only with being as close to those who live there, as said Yves Vasseur, the director of the Théâtre du Manège. Invited to simply redefine the reception and access areas of the theatre hall of the Arbalestriers in the spirit of the Maisons Folie that had just seen the light of day in Lille in 2004, Matador (recently awarded the Architecture Prize of the Province of Hainaut for this work) has managed to reallocate the entire usable domain. While the theatre remained in its original state, Matador, practicing a wasteland architecture, fully vindicates the originality of the concepts of «Space of possibilities» and «Edge'halle» - these two places forming, with the central courtyard, the Maison Folie de Mons.
The photographic look on this place is that of Rino Noviello. The pen is that of the playwright Pascale Tison and the keyboard, that of the philosopher Christian Ruby, which account for this experience of restitution of public space to its actors. The architectural criticism was entrusted to Jean Stillemans. Pierre-Olivier Rollin has been interviewed by Marc Mawet and Olivier Bourez, the architects of Matador, not to mention the in situ intervention of the plastic artist Emilio López-Menchero.

Bilingual French-English book, in perfect condition. 112 pages. Non smoking house.

Pick up on Hyon near Mons or chaussée de La Hulpe in Brussels. Shipping possible at buyer’s expense.