The new headquarters for the social housing organization in the metropolitan area of Lille, LMH, is located on the boulevard Gambetta in Tourcoing, a major road connecting Lille and its surrounding communities.
The new building for LMH affirms its presence in the urban context by its dimension but the architectural expression is searching for lightness and transparency and avoids any monumentality.
An open central space forms the core of the building. This inner court, protected by a glass roof, includes an open, central and light stairway. Steel bridges connect the offices on 3 levels and allow an easy horizontal and vertical circulation and communication in the building. Its generous dimension is unexpected. It provides the space for informal meetings.
On the ground floor, the restaurant area in the north and the meeting area for seminaries in the south, complete the central space. Mobile panels allow dividing these parts in several working areas for multiple use, exhibitions and events.
On the office levels meeting rooms and recreation areas animate the inner façade providing bow windows into the court. Large wooden indoor and outdoor terraces complete the building on each level.
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