Dynamic Space Program

June 2025

La Baignoire is imagined as a welcoming and educational space, designed to embrace the full range of activities a contemporary cultural venue might host — spontaneous or organised, contemplative or active, for all age groups and all forms of practice.

For the Faïencerie’s welcoming area, smarin proposes a dynamic, modular, and holistic environment, enabling users to shape the space according to their needs and desires, and to invent new uses centred on collective well-being.

DYNAMIC SPACE PROGRAM

Furniture-program

At the heart of La Baignoire lies a simple, robust, and durable construction program, composed of modular blocks crafted from pure, natural materials - cork, oak, spruce - , selected for their ecological properties, longevity, and sensorial qualities. Each block is handmade within a healthy, frugal production process, ensuring non-toxicity and acoustic comfort thanks to their isophonic properties.

No nails, no screws — just intuitive assemblies that can be combined to form desks, seats, lounges, storage units, play areas, or performance stages. Their geometry is designed for maximum flexibility, allowing users to reconfigure the space in real time, fostering an embodied, participatory relationship with their environment.

A POLYTYPOLOGICAL AND REVERSIBLE FURNITURE PROGRAM

La Baignoire’s flexibility lies in its instant adaptability: In just a few minutes, a group can transform their environment to create a workspace, a dance studio, a screening room, a play area, or a space for quiet relaxation. Lightweight and modular, the elements allow the space to open or divide fluidly, encouraging spontaneous, creative, and holistic uses.

USEFUL & FUNCTIONAL STORAGE

- soundproofing and thermal insulation wall -

When not needed, the blocks can be stacked and stored compactly, freeing up the entire space and offering maximum reversibility. This responsiveness nurtures a mode of inhabiting space that is active, sensitive, and inventive, encouraging each user to physically engage with their surroundings.

Sustainability is intrinsic to the project. Each material is chosen for its low environmental impact, healthfulness, and durability. The blocks are designed to be easy to clean, maintain, and repair, promoting a circular approach to design. Their reversible nature — capable of becoming furniture, partitions, or acoustic insulation — guarantees their continued relevance through time and changing needs, reducing the need for new investments or replacements.

La Baignoire is a manifesto for new ways of conceiving public equipment: A place for shared invention, anchored in the cultural life of the Faïencerie, where each visitor is invited to move, think, and create freely.

Possible configurations include:

• adjustable desks and seating for work
• lounges for rest and collective relaxation
• dining areas
• play spaces for free construction
• a clear, open space with all elements stored in minimal volume