cultural center in Durham

Durham is a small town in northern England, where Tony Blair has grown. The project goal was to offer the city a building bearing the image of former Prime Minister of England. The site is located along a river. The generator of this project was the urban connections between the building and the environment near or far. The building is organized around two strong elements: a large horizontal element witch anchors the building into the ground and a tower witch became a landmark in the city. The horizontal portion includes an amphitheater; studios and offices are organized around a patio, while the tower contains a museum, a panoramic bar with a concert hall, shops and a bookstore. The roof of the building is a public space in viewpoint over the river, accessible from the street by stairs.