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Project

L’ECRIN Hennebont National Stud Farm

- Saint-Martin-de-Mailloc, France

A contemporary equestrian performance hall that harmonizes with its historical surroundings through a blend of classical and modern architectural elements.

Modern building with tiered roof and wooden slats among stone structures.

A modern building with a tiered roof structure, featuring wooden slats and dark roofing, situated among older stone structures.

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Story

L’ECRIN Hennebont National Stud Farm

A contemporary equestrian performance hall harmonizing with history Situated within the Cour du Puits of the historic National Stud, L’ECRIN rises majestically, redefining the skyline with its 17-meter height. The design eschews anachronistic gestures, instead drawing from classical vernacular to resonate with the site's historical essence. The building's silhouette is inspired by 17th-century market halls and the works of Victor Baltard, particularly the Marché Secrétan. The structure reinterprets the principle of clerestories, enhancing natural ventilation and diffusing zenithal light. This approach fragments the massing, allowing the roofline to blend seamlessly into the landscape. The material palette includes rectangular and rounded slates, creating a dialogue between past and present. Inside, a timber frame unfolds into a spectacular vault, reminiscent of early circus buildings. The modular construction system ensures precision and efficiency, with arches supporting truss beams that span the facades, allowing for unobstructed views and transparency. The interior atmosphere is enhanced by a chiaroscuro treatment, highlighting the timber structure. The building's facades feature timber cladding, creating a warm, protective heart. Adjustable wooden slats diffuse natural light, while the upper strata serve as a natural ventilation system. The design prioritizes sustainability, using bio-sourced and geo-sourced materials, and reflects a conscientious approach to architecture.

Design Highlights

Reinterpretation of historical architectural elements Use of clerestories for enhanced natural light and ventilation Modular construction with precision-machined structural elements Timber frame creating a dramatic interior vault Retractable facade for flexibility and transparency Sustainable materials and natural ventilation system

Key Facts

Feature Detail
Location Saint-Martin-de-Mailloc, France
Architect K ARCHITECTURES
Year 2022
Status Built
Surface Area 1,464 m²
Seating Capacity 700
Budget €3.6 million

Technical summary

Updated 4/1/2026

Finishes

  • Roofing: Rectangular slates interleaved with rounded slates, creating a dynamic roof design.
  • Interior: Dark, matte tones for secondary works and technical systems to highlight the wooden structure.

Materials

  • Wood — Timber frame, cladding, and interior structure.
  • Slate — Roofing material.

Construction / Systems

  • Modular timber construction: Precision-machined structural elements assembled on-site, with a system of arches supporting truss beams.
  • Ventilation: Natural ventilation through louvers and a thermal chimney system.

Products

  • Timber structure — GLC (GAUTHIER LAMELLÉ COLLÉ) — by GLC (Timber structure)
  • Wood for glued laminated timber — Stora Enso and Setra — by Stora Enso and Setra (Manufacture of glued laminated timber)
  • CLT panels — Lignatec — by Lignatec (CLT panels)

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: Dark matte tones, Natural wood
  • Lighting: Natural zenithal light diffused through clerestories

Images

Modern building with tiered roof and wooden slats among stone structures.
Wooden building with layered roof and vertical slats in a courtyard, person on horseback and wooden cart nearby.
Aerial view of a historic courtyard with a large building surrounded by trees and smaller houses.
Historic building with red arched entrance and clock, surrounded by garden.
Exterior view of a building with a slate roof and wooden slatted walls, surrounded by trees.
Modern equestrian facility with wooden slatted exterior and two horses in front.
Person on horseback in front of a modern wooden building with horizontal slats.
Facade of a building with wooden slats and a slate roof.
Person on horseback in a courtyard beside a building with wooden slats and slate roof.
Person leading a black horse in front of a modern building with wooden slats and a historic building in the background.
A horse being led near a building with wooden paneling.
Person in pink leading a black horse past a building with wooden slatted walls and an open doorway.
Corner view of a modern wooden building with horizontal slats and an overhanging roof.
Building with wooden facade and slate roof, with another building in the background.
Interior of an equestrian performance hall featuring a circular arena, tiered seating, and a wooden vaulted ceiling.
Interior of an equestrian hall featuring wooden arches, seating, and a person riding a horse.
Dark interior view looking out to a wooden exterior with horizontal slats and a sloped roof.
Grayscale site plan with building layout and river.
Site plan of the L’ECRIN Hennebont National Stud Farm with building layouts and courtyards.
Floor plan showing an octagonal central structure surrounded by rectangular buildings.
Section drawing of a building with a symmetrical roof and trees in the background.
Architectural cross-section drawings of a building interior with wooden arches and trusses.
Architectural cross-section drawings of an equestrian hall with wooden arches and trusses.
Six architectural diagrams showing the step-by-step construction process of a building's structure, including arches and roofing.

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