Post Office Transformation – Brest, France
Title
Post Office Transformation – Brest, France
Designed by
Chatillon Architectes
Image Credit
© Antoine Mercusot
Project Description
Project description provided by Chatillon Architectes - The renovation of the Brest Post Office by Chatillon Architectes
marks the third iteration o f the historic city-center building. Originally built in 1927 as an Art
Deco-style post office by architect Georges Milineau, the building was destroyed during the
Second World War and subsequently rebuilt between 1947 and 1950 by architect Pierre-Jack
Laloy in a neo-regionalist style.
Initially designed with a U-shaped structure, the building has now been expanded by Chatillon
Architectes, adding a contemporary new wing, creating a central entrance courtyard and an
enclosed inner garden. Now operating as a senior residence, the project offers city-center living
and has revitalized a long-standing local landmark. Using the building’s history to guide its
renewal, Chatillon Architectes has worked to restore, transform, and add new elements that
honor the building's legacy while providing an experience suited to contemporary life. “The Brest Post Office project demonstrates the universal approach that we bring to all our
work,
" says Simon Chatillon, Partner at Chatillon Architectes.
“From landmark buildings to
local adaptations, we aim to create projects that find the hidden value within buildings,
honoring their history while creating spaces for the future.
”
Through the addition of a contemporary wing, the preservation of the best elements of the
original post-war design, a renewed emphasis on outdoor space, and the inclusion of warm
wooden accents, Chatillon Architectes has transformed the Post Office from a somewhat dreary
administrative building into a welcoming and vibrant contemporary residence.Providing a prominent arrival sequence, the contemporary wing features a concrete and glass
brick exterior, which harmonizes with the building's existing stone, concrete, and granite
materials while introducing a modern, transparent quality. Set on six structural columns, the new
wing provides unobstructed sightlines from the entrance through to the reception area and on
to the interior garden beyond. The newly designed inner garden emphasizes nature and
well-being for residents, with wooden loggias and balconies softening the concrete façade,
while floor-to-ceiling windows add warmth at street level.
