Temple of Peace in France

The purpose of the Memorial of Peace (on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the signing of a peace treaty after the First World War), is to create a unique, bodily and intimate experience that appeals to the five senses and connects man with architecture and light. Being a Memorial of Peace the structure emerges around a calm core. The archaic and timeless shape of the truncated cone reflects the eternity of the question of peace. The visitor is invited to enter the structure through a narrow entrance, which leads him to the “purification corridor”. This corridor shrouded in darkness aims to move him away from the surrounding world and to guide him into the hall of Peace: a space of centered and symmetrical shape that leaves the eye with a single escape – the sky: once a source of fear and terror, now a symbol of peace, hope and infinity. The space invites the visitor to reflect on the meaning of peace and its importance for the human existence.

The Memorial is composed of two truncated cones. The outer cone pointing upwards represents the envelope and delimits the interior of the Memorial from its exterior. The downward-pointing interior cone is intended to create a second boundary between the “purification corridor” and the Hall of Peace. A slight distancingbetween these two shapes creates a “crevice” that leaves very little zenith light to the coridor and guides the visitor to the Hall of Peace.

The structure will be built using a 3D printed concrete. The geometry of the Memorial takes into account the printing technique as well as the dimensions of the printer and its printing capabilities. First, a solid foundation of reinforced concrete is laid. Then it is covered with quartz flooring on which the concrete is subsequently printed. Once the printing of the Memorial is completed, the printer is removed by a crane from the large zenithal opening of 5 meters in diameter.