The DOGE

Le Doge building is located near an old factory. Seduced by the raw materiality of Terreal monolithic bricks, Paolo Tarabusi imagined an innovative and contemporary architectural project rooted in the local tradition. The façades of the offices of Le Doge in Lille include 1,500 high-terracotta elements separated one by one by glazing. The solid surfaces are a few centimeters close to the same width as the windows and give to the building a perforated appearance, tinged with matter and lightness. A real architectural innovation that fits perfectly into the landscape of the largest business incubator in Europe.
The terracotta pieces are free of ornament to fully express their material and natural red ocher colour. A connection at the top and bottom allows the insulated monolithic brick to be laid without joints or coatings. The streaks, irregularities and hues of the terracotta give the building a rustic and voluminous character that made it light and airy thanks to the glazed elements.
Beyond their aesthetic and traditional appearance, the architect has chosen the monolithic bricks for their technical performance. 20 cm thick, they generate shadows on the facade which avoid the overheating of the building in summer. They also have good hydrometry and strong inertia that contribute to the thermal comfort of the building throughout the year.
Healthy and natural, the bricks are also economical because they do not need a frame to support and are without ornaments."