Manoir du Tourp

Dating from the 16th century, the Manoir du Tourp now houses the Maison de la Hague, a cultural and museographic facility dedicated to the history of the region and its inhabitants. The heritage building renovation and restructuring of the former manor are conceived within a heritage-led approach, carefully preserving the existing fabric while establishing a subtle dialogue with contemporary interventions.

The historic building conversion of the manor and its outbuildings accommodates exhibition galleries, a documentation centre, offices and residential facilities, with a café-restaurant integrated within a new extension. The listed building architect adapts the existing envelope to new uses while preserving the historic fabric and introducing contemporary elements.

The heritage building renovation removed successive technical additions, with building services — including plant rooms and HVAC systems — relocated below grade. In contrast, the new rear extension is expressed as a distinct contemporary insertion, articulated as a detached glazed volume set apart from the historic fabric.

Roof forms have been preserved, with all buildings unified under a schist roofing system, lending the ensemble a more refined and cohesive appearance. The listed building architect reinterpreted openings of traditional small-pane fenestration while meeting current thermal performance requirements for climate-controlled exhibition spaces and public-use buildings.

Internally, exposed stone walls are treated with lime finishes, while floors and ceilings have been reinforced to accommodate new load requirements and integrated building services. Flooring is executed in polished concrete, referencing the character of traditional farm interiors. Timber plays a central role in the material palette, reinforcing the dialogue between past and present: oak — widely used in the region — is reserved for historic elements, while exotic hardwood is used for contemporary insertions.

The heritage building renovation was nominated for the “Première Œuvre” award in 2002 and received recognition in the French Ministry of Culture’s Architecture Awards the same year.