What are the challenges of the National Architecture Days in Hauts-de-France?
Hilaire Multon: Since 2016, the Ministry of Culture has created the National Architecture Days with the ambition to raise awareness of architecture to a wide audience while valuing remarkable architectures for their technical innovations, their quality of use or their formal quality, their contribution to the history of architecture. In the continuity of other cultural events such as the European Heritage Days, the Music Festival or the European Night of Museums, the National Architecture Days are intended to gradually become part of the cultural landscape.
It is about inspiring a desire for architecture as well as allowing audiences to discover the different facets of architecture in a fun and educational way. These exceptional days invite us to take the time to admire our architectural heritage so rich and varied, ranging from our famous belfries, to emblematic places of art deco, through those revealing contemporary prowess. In Hauts-de-France, nearly thirty architects or firms have won a Grand Prix national de l'architecture, a proof of regional dynamics.
This national event also allows the meeting with architecture professionals, who open the doors of their agencies to answer all the questions of citizens on these fascinating trades. In the region, the Order of Architects is particularly committed to architecture education. Since September 15 and until October 15, 2023, the first edition of the festival «L'émoi de l'Architecture en Hauts-de-France», with the highlight of the National Architecture Days, offers an ever-renewed incarnation of this commitment. Through the system «Raise your eyes», the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of National Education, Youth and Sports accompany school audiences in the knowledge of architecture and develop a sensitivity to heritage.
What is the label «Remarkable contemporary architecture»? What is the label policy in the region?
Hilaire Multon: Since 2016, the label «Remarkable contemporary architecture» succeeds the label «Heritage of the twentieth century». It is attributed to buildings, architectural ensembles, works of art and developments that are not classified or listed as historical monuments, among the achievements of less than 100 years of age, of sufficient architectural or technical interest.
The region was profoundly transformed by the military conflicts of the twentieth century and by the reconstructions that followed: it was a laboratory of large-scale urban planning, a territory of experimentation with new materials and innovative techniques.
Today 56 buildings are labeled «Remarkable contemporary architecture» in the five departments of the region.
At the origin of the labelling process, a census made it possible to list the architectures of the second half of the twentieth century the most remarkable on the territory. Requests for labelling are addressed to DRAC Hauts-de-France by the owners or third parties. Around Mathilde Méreau, heritage curator, CRMH assistant and Perrine Fuchs, in charge of the protection of historic monuments, both referents of the label «Remarkable contemporary architecture», a steering committee, composed of experts in 20th century architecture and contemporary creation accompanies the DRAC Hauts-de-France in the various aspects of its action: research, prospecting, labelling, valorisation and monitoring of works.
Can you tell us a little more about the theme of this 8th edition «architecture and ecological transition»?
Hilaire Multon: On the one hand, this theme is part of a strong government will. Planning and accelerating the ecological transition are major and multiple challenges, both to make our planet more livable, improve the quality of air, water, preserve nature, but also develop a French and European ecological sovereignty. On the other hand, architects are major players in the ecological and energy transition. They offer increasingly innovative solutions, allowing new trends to emerge such as frugal architecture or bioclimatic architecture. From this observation, naturally follows the idea of including this theme at the heart of this edition of the National Architecture Days and more broadly at the heart of our daily actions.
In the region, the actors, accompanied by the DRAC Hauts-de-France, are committed. The WAAO proposed during the summer «The city, turns in circles?» , an exhibition illustrating the concrete use of materials in buildings: to make the city of tomorrow, it is necessary to repair the one that already exists. The Maison de l'Architecture des Hauts-de-France is also part of this dynamic with its exhibition «Terra Fibra».
I would like to conclude with the active, voluntary, enthusiastic participation of the DRAC Hauts-de-France in the writing of the ministerial roadmap on the ecological transition of culture. No less than four working groups are mobilized on these topics. One of them is entirely dedicated to architectural transition issues, innovations in territories and landscapes in order to preserve, conserve and build for tomorrow.
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