Paris-primarily based JUNG Architectures has converted an former French leper colony into a gallery, adding an zinc-clad extension that can be utilised for wine tasting (+ slideshow).
Situated in the Burgundy area of France, the Léproserie de Meursault was initially constructed in the 12th century by Duke Hugh II to quarantine men and women suffering from leprosy.
Since then it has undergone many renovations, before becoming converted into an agricultural farm in the 19th century.
“Its very first use was as a medical house that welcomed and cared for the sick and the poor,” stated architect Jean-Claude Caledonien. “Our intervention came following a history of additions and subsequent destructions.”
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Through these modifications of use, the majority of the building’s walls were demolished.
JUNG Architectures started by rebuilding its walls and inner structureto develop gallery spaces that will host a assortment of short-term exhibitions, before creating an extra constructing for wine tasting.
Lined with wooden panels throughout its interior, the extension is covered in Azengar zinc – a generally whiter and more rough version of the metal.
“For the extension we have been seeking for a material to develop a monolithic shell,” Caledonien told Dezeen. “We made the decision to use Azengar zinc, and this is one of the 1st instances it has been utilised in France.”
Lengthy neon lighting tubes are suspended across the ceiling on metal rope, while tiny arrow slit like windows puncture its walls. When not utilised for wine tasting, the space will host public occasions for Meursault’s town council.
In the current developing, derelict sections have been rebuilt using conventional development approaches. What was as soon as the gatehouse has turn out to be a tourist details office, whilst the Chapel and the Area of the Poor are now grouped collectively to type exhibition spaces.
Zinc is frequently utilized to update present buildings. Architecture office Penoyre & Prasad utilised it to cover a London art school, although Dutch studio Shift utilized it to the exterior of a dental surgery in the Netherlands.
Photography is by Martin Argyroglo.
Strategy – click for more substantial image 
Site prepare – click for greater picture 
