杏吧原创

SUCH has been the curiosity aroused by Will Alsop鈥檚 new regional government building in Marseilles that the daily stream of commuter cars that brake on its approach road as their drivers take a look has worn the asphalt thin. The stretch of dual carriageway that loops around the Grand Bleu (a nickname bestowed by admiring locals) is a patchwork of repairs.

For those who haven鈥檛 worn out their tyre treads visiting the startling structure, here is the book of the building, describing its evolution and construction. It is a tale of David conquering Goliath. Michael Spens takes us through the design competition that attracted more than 150 entries and on to the final duel, between Alsop and Sir Norman Foster. All the wise money was on the gleaming white knight, Foster, whose sparkling international credentials and cool rationale looked certain to secure first prize. Alsop was the outsider, with a handful of fine buildings in Germany to his credit together with smallish projects in England and Wales. Much to everyone鈥檚 surprise, Alsop won the day with a scheme that was described as 鈥渃onvivial鈥� in a local daily paper.

Alsop鈥檚 design is certainly intriguing and captivating. The protruding, cigar-shaped Deliberatif containing the council debating chamber is pulled right out of the front of the building. Lashed behind are two parallel administration blocks separated by a vast covered courtyard. We learn that very early on in the planning of his design, Alsop wanted to distinguish clearly the space used by elected representatives from that occupied by the administrators. It is a brilliant device 鈥� the Deliberatif juts out as a proud symbol of the democratic process.

Excellent views of the city and the distant hills are provided from the balconies as a constant reminder to the councillors of their responsibilities to the region. There is no hiding away in the dark chambers stowed in the belly of more traditional government buildings.

The book is generously illustrated. There are lots of Alsop鈥檚 early squiggles, delicious oil paintings and watercolours used to develop the design concept and the completed formal technical drawings. It is fun and informative to watch the design progress. The text is racy too, and offers not just insights into the workings of Alsop鈥檚 office, but also into historical precedents for this type of building, the relationship between architect, engineer and client, and the construction processes. There are, however, several patches of heavy architectural jargon.

Absolutely unmissable is Alsop鈥檚 own architect鈥檚 note. This is crisp and clear, and zings with the intensity of the building鈥檚 ultramarine coat.