The town hall of Annecy, between history and modernity
Architect Pierre-Louis Faloci’s rehabilitation program has introduced transparency and the contemporary while retaining the most emblematic heritage elements of the town hall.
In the spring of 2025, the Annecy town hall should complete its transformation after two years of work and 15 million euros (M€) of investment. ” This budget comes on top of the 15 million we spent to clean, clean and protect the building after the fire that ravaged it in November 2019. Out of this total of 30 M€, insurance coverage – calculated on the basis of a reconstruction comparable to the existing one – amounts to 20 M€“, specifies Benjamin Marias, first deputy to the mayor.
A town house
Acclaimed by elected officials from Annecy, the rehabilitation project designed by architect Pierre-Louis Faloci brings together a project management team bringing together the design offices Egis (all trades), Plantier (structure) and Acoustb (acoustics ). It is based on a few major principles aimed at bringing together heritage and modernity. Anchored in history with its arcades and its stones, the ground floor, very mineral, opens onto the city on the one hand and the gardens on the other: it becomes a place of life and conviviality around various activities (coffee,coworking, exhibition) draining visitors. “We will find ourselves in a public square, a real house in the city open to its environment.“says Pierre-Louis Faloci.
A board room on the mezzanine
A glass roof of approximately 300 m² is installed in the upper part in order to open the view on the upper floors. The old walls are only kept if they are contiguous to spaces such as the wedding hall, which will have to be reconstructed identically. “The municipal council chamber will be transformed and will include a mezzanine to facilitate the presence of the public“, adds François Astorg, the mayor. Served by the main staircase – which will be rebuilt – the reception areas will take place on the first level, while the individual or shared offices will develop above. D
A desire to set an example
Low-carbon concrete and local materials will be used. “It will be an exemplary site, a model of the way we should build today: deal with heritage, recover what exists and know how to transform it, demolish as little as possible», continues Pierre-Louis Faloci.
The same requirements prevail in terms of energy: raised to allow light to pass through, the roof will be covered on the south facade with photovoltaic tiles in order to produce energy. Groundwater will also be used to produce heat in winter and cool in summer.
Sophie Boutrelle
photo credit: Pierre-Louis Faloci.