Cosmocité, a captivating universe dedicated to scientific exploration

The dynamic town of Pont-de-Claix, nestled in the heart of Isère, in Grenoble, France, has welcomed Cosmocité, a new monument harmoniously weaving the threads of history and science. This contemporary masterpiece, created by the architectural consortium of Arcane Architectes (based in Grenoble) and Cardin Julien (based in Montreal), sits on the heritage site of the Grands Moulins de Villancourt and can welcome some 57,000 visitors a year, including 20,000 enthusiastic schoolchildren.

Born from the creative minds of architects Jean-Yves Guibourdenche of Arcane Architectes and Jean-François Julien of Cardin Julien, the design of the Cosmocité Science Center embodies the essence of a modern museum. In collaboration with scenographer CREO, La Casemate and the scientific community, the designers bring to life a vision blending past and future. The Grands Moulins de Villancourt site, an important part of the industrial heritage of the 19^th and 20^th centuries, has its memory preserved through this building. Located at the northern entrance to Pont-de-Claix, the project is the cultural cornerstone of the city’s urban renewal. In their quest for perfection, the creators meticulously crafted Cosmocité to combine the region’s industrial history with a contemporary focus on science. The building is composed of two volumes: one translucent, brilliant white, housing the passages, reception, services, administration and logistics; and the other matt and opaque black, dedicated to the dissemination of scientific content, including a planetarium, an immersive 3D room and a permanent exhibition hall. Monolithic and enigmatic, the black volume invites visitors to contemplate the mysteries of the universe and the place of humanity. Inside, vertical and horizontal corridors are bathed in natural light, with views over the surrounding landscape. The design proves that science is welcoming and open to all. The 80-seat inclined circular planetarium is equipped with a stargazing simulator. This immersive experience introduces visitors to the wonders of astronomy and space science. A glimpse of the Earth and the Cosmos, in an interactive 3D room with screens on the floor and walls. The captivating 14-metre-high Foucault pendulum spans the structure, illustrating the Earth’s rotation. Designed to be bioclimatic, optimizing solar gain while avoiding overheating, the building boasts acoustic and thermal comfort ensured by appropriate devices and a double-flow system guaranteeing air quality. Energy optimization measures include a high-performance envelope, an externally insulated reinforced concrete structure, and the use of heat pumps for heating and cooling. The landscaping includes a mineral forecourt to the east, linked to the site’s activities and flows, and a garden and green amphitheatre to the west. To the south, a century-old cedar reminds us of the renewed spirit of the city. Representing the evolution of science and architecture and preserving history, it is a place where past, present and future converge, and the mysteries of the cosmos are revealed.