W&A Architecture

The diversity of scales and programmes we develop never ceases to surprise people: stadiums, service industry projects, towers, hospitals, accommodation, wine cellars, hotels, museums, congress centres, private homes… Our architecture is characterised by the care taken over the context of the site, simplicity of design and high-quality materials.

As well as new buildings, the Wilmotte firm excels in renovation and often works on redeveloping buildings in historic town centres. Jean-Michel Wilmotte takes care to respect our heritage, while affirming the modernity and simplicity of his architecture. He has developed the concept of “contemporary grafting” to show that the encounter of old and new is at the core of thinking about urban renovation.

Designing, arranging spaces and creating atmospheres, telling stories based on the spirit of the place, whether it is old or new, is one of the great skills of the Wilmotte architecture firm. Interior architecture is broken down into a series of events to make up a process, to find the working logic and give great clarity and unity to the plan and is always based on a tailor-made approach.

The relation with materials is essential. Making use of its expressive force helps to give relief and life to architectural spaces and to suit the spirit of the place and the people who will live there.

Wilmotte & Associés has its own team specialised in producing perspectives using computer-generated images and animated films – virtual project visits. Computer-generated images and presentation films, real “virtual materials”, are an essential part of the working method at Wilmotte & Associés. At each stage in the design process, imagery fosters a dialogue with the client in a continuous back-and-forth process. It is a way for architects to test out different variations in their project by changing dimensions and materials.

Staffed by a dozen or so people, this is one of the most cutting-edge studios, with the latest graphic design software for still and animated images, and a very powerful computer server enabling us to produce over 50 images a month.

The materials library is a real resource and research centre for the architects and designers, located on the firm’s premises. It covers an area of almost 200 m². The collection includes 250 metres of shelf space with samples of materials and products, 200 metres of shelf space of technical documents, 20 metres of journals and a database of over 6,500 contacts, mainly French, European, American and Japanese.

Since the beginning of the 1990s, prototypes, trials developed for the firm’s projects, new elements spotted at trade shows, essential construction materials, the latest inventions of craftsmen and ‘offcuts’ picked up at building sites have all been kept here. It is a medley, an Ali Baba’s cave, it is often said, inviting staff to roam freely, to find sources of revitalisation and inspiration, and make fruitful searches.