in southwestern france, bjarke ingels group (BIG) and FREAKS freearchitects have designed a major new cultural venue that contains a trio of institutions. centrally located in bordeaux, between the river garonne and saint-jean train station, the new 18,000 square meter maison de l?économie créative et de la culture en aquitaine, or MÉCA for short, brings together three regional arts agencies: FRAC for contemporary art; ALCA for cinema, literature, and audiovisuals; and OARA for performing arts.

all images by laurian ghinitoiu
 
 
BIG and FREAKS, who were selected to complete the project in 2012, conceived the building as a single loop of cultural institutions that forms an extension of the promenade. ?not only does MÉCA spill its activities into the public realm and the urban room, but the public is also invited to walk around, through, above and below the new cultural gateway,? explains bjarke ingels. ?by inviting the arts into the city and the city into the arts, MÉCA will provide opportunities for new hybrids of cultural and social life beyond the specific definitions of its constituent parts.?
 
 
a series of steps and ramps lead the public directly into the outdoor urban room at the core of MÉCA, where a 7-meter-high (23ft) MÉCA sign illuminates the space with white LED lights. ?the urban room is at once a frame for the artwork, a stage for the performances, a screening room for the media collections and most perhaps most importantly, an open room for the...