Bruther slots curving community centre into crowded Paris neighbourhood
Designed to offer a "landmark" in an otherwise mundane part of Paris, this sport and culture centre by Bruther features a multi-layered facade that varies in transparency to suit the various activities it contains (+ slideshow).
![Cultural and Sports Center by Bruther](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Cultural-and-Sports-Center-by-Bruther_dezeen_468_0.jpg)
The centre was developed by local studio Bruther to provide a wide range of public services for the community of the heavily populated and densely urbanised Saint-Blaise district, east of the city centre.
![Cultural and Sports Center by Bruther](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Cultural-and-Sports-Center-by-Bruther_dezeen_468_1.jpg)
The project comprises a vertically-stacked structure with a small footprint – helping to preserve one of the area's rare open spaces. The building also features a variety of materials, designed to differentiate it from the surrounding apartment blocks.
![Cultural and Sports Center by Bruther](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Cultural-and-Sports-Center-by-Bruther_dezeen_468_4.jpg)
"The project becomes a landmark in this dense neighbourhood," said the architects in a statement. "It saves ground – a real resource of the area – and is developed vertically while respecting the required and respectful distances with the surrounding buildings."
![Cultural and Sports Center by Bruther](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Cultural-and-Sports-Center-by-Bruther_dezeen_468_5.jpg)
Lower storeys are enclosed by a glazed curtain wall that retains a visual connection between the street on one side and a courtyard on the other.
![Cultural and Sports Center by Bruther](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Cultural-and-Sports-Center-by-Bruther_dezeen_468_6.jpg)
This transparency also helps to maintain links between other public facilities situated around the plaza, including a nursery and school, as well as offering a welcoming view of the activities taking place inside.
![Cultural and Sports Center by Bruther](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Cultural-and-Sports-Center-by-Bruther_dezeen_468_7.jpg)
"The project becomes a link which establishes new perspectives and creates relationships between the different amenities of the neighbourhood by its location and materiality," the architects added.
![Cultural and Sports Center by Bruther](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Cultural-and-Sports-Center-by-Bruther_dezeen_468_8.jpg)
Above the double-height atrium are further windows and a cantilevered balcony that wraps around the building's edges, including the concave long elevations.
![Cultural and Sports Center by Bruther](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Cultural-and-Sports-Center-by-Bruther_dezeen_468_9.jpg)
The transparent cladding allows the concrete structure, with its diagonal bracing system, to be seen from outside.
![Cultural and Sports Center by Bruther](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Cultural-and-Sports-Center-by-Bruther_dezeen_468_10.jpg)
Black corrugated cladding surrounds the upper portion of a sports hall dedicated to circus arts, which is located on the top floor. A gauzy mesh above this level allows light to reach the glass vaulted ceiling to ensure a bright interior for the training studio.
![Cultural and Sports Center by Bruther](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Cultural-and-Sports-Center-by-Bruther_dezeen_468_12.jpg)
Folding doors set in the glazed facade open onto the large foyer, where a suspended ceiling is wrapped in mirrored panels so that it reflects the buildings outside.
![Cultural and Sports Center by Bruther](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Cultural-and-Sports-Center-by-Bruther_dezeen_468_11.jpg)
A freestanding plywood structure resides in this space. It features gable-shaped openings that create cosy rooms for informal meetings.
![Cultural and Sports Center by Bruther](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Cultural-and-Sports-Center-by-Bruther_dezeen_468_2.jpg)
Materials throughout the interior are left in their raw state, with exposed concrete and plywood complemented by conical lighting, suspended from simple tubular metal fittings.
Photography is by Filip Dujardin.
![Cultural and Sports Center by Bruther](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Cultural-and-Sports-Center-by-Bruther_dezeen_6.gif)
![Cultural and Sports Center by Bruther](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Cultural-and-Sports-Center-by-Bruther_dezeen_1.gif)
![Cultural and Sports Center by Bruther](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Cultural-and-Sports-Center-by-Bruther_dezeen_2.gif)
![Cultural and Sports Center by Bruther](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Cultural-and-Sports-Center-by-Bruther_dezeen_3.gif)
![Cultural and Sports Center by Bruther](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Cultural-and-Sports-Center-by-Bruther_dezeen_4.gif)