The Pierres-Vives building for the department de I'Herault is the unification of three institutions-the archive, the library and the sports department-within a single envelope. These various parts combine to create a building with a strong single identity when viewed at a distance, but as one moves closer, the division into three parts becomes apparent. The building has been developed using functional and economic logic: the resultant design reminiscent of a large tree-trunk that has been laid horizontally. The archive is located at the solid base of the trunk, followed by the slightly more porous library with the sports department and its well-lit offices on far end where the trunk bifurcates and becomes much lighter. 'Branches' project vertically off the main trunk to articulate points of access to the various institutions.
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