Pavillon Nicolas Ruinart, Reims, project: Sou Fujimoto, Gwenaël Nicolas, Christophe Gautrand
Four centuries after It was first established, Champagne's oldest production house opening Its new Pavillon Nicolas Ruinart in the heart of its historic location at 4 Rue de Crayères in Reims. Thanks to the construction of this new very contemporary pavilion set alongside the historic buildings and the development of other cultural spaces and in particular an artists' garden, a refuge for local biodiversity and artistic expression, not to mention the creation of multiple life experiences around champagne, Maison Ruinart can offer people the opportunity to immerse themselves in this very special world in harmony with surrounding nature.
Brightness, simplicity, modernity: these are the keys to this new architectural design by the Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto. ‘This luminous, light and transparent building,’ so he says, ’is designed to welcome visitors as if they were in a jewellery box. It represents Maison Ruinart's image. Its legacy stretching way back into the past is epitomised by the white limestone of the building structure and by the innovative, slender, raised design of the roof.ʺ
Set in the midst of a 7,000-square-metre wooded park, this 1,400-square-metre building stands out discreetly, its whiteness playing with the light and is subtly tinged by variations in its natural environment as the days pass, the seasons go by and the weather changes.
The entrance hall highlights the contrast between a dark, narrow space (the corridors connecting the chalk cellars) and the large opening onto an immense space bathed in light. Reflecting Maison Ruinart's engagement in the art world, art is found all over the site and most notably in the park. On display along the drives, in the main courtyard and in the artists‘ garden, numerous works commissioned by Ruinart reveal the artists’ take on the Maison's underlying spirit. Powerful, engaging, multifaceted works offering various perspectives on life, nature and its basic elements: air, water, sun, soil and plants, precious and necessary resources for wine-growing.
Bright and open, the interior of the Pavilion lets visitors move around freely and enjoy multiple experiences: lounge, champagne bar and boutique, terrace, etc. Insulation made of bio-based materials, a green roof for cooling the building, screen-printed windows to dampen the sun's rays, geothermal energy to control the temperature and rainwater collection, everything is designed to meet Maison Ruinart's environmental concerns. (photo: Jaume Plensa, Dom Thierry Ruinart, Polished stainless steel, 2016)
Client: Maison Ruinart; Project: Sou Fujimoto; Interior Design: Gwenaël Nicolas, Landascaping: Christophe Gautrand, Photo: Mathieu Bonnevie, Chloé Le Reste