Competition – 1st Prize
To revive a house rather than erect a museum—that is the guiding idea of the MRL project, aimed at fostering literary creation.
From the outset, the goal is to respect the building’s original nature and reconcile the contemporary architectural concept with the historic birthplace of Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
The architectural choices are thus specific to the history of the place. Transparency and clarity are favored. A new vertical circulation core (stairs/elevator) connects all building levels from the street. This element captures natural light from the roof and channels it down to the basement. The elevator and staircase cage create a dialogue between materials—contemporary ones like glass and steel, alongside original ones such as wood, stone, and masonry.
Just like certain interior details, the façades are renovated by a master stonecutter. On the walls, wallpapers created in collaboration with artist Eva Le Roi accompany visitors across the five levels, offering a reinterpretation of Rousseau’s work. On the ground floor, a literary café provides reception, service, and ticket sales.
