Project narrative: Hidden in the bucolic landscape of Northern Vosges Natural Park, Site Verrier de Meisenthal is a publicly funded active cultural center in a historic glass factory dating back to the 18th century. Three independent yet interrelated institutions: the glass museum (Musée du Verre et du cristal) – a living memory tracing the history of glass at the site; the CIAV (Centre International d’Art Verrier) – an international glass art center where traditional craftsmanship meets contemporary practices; and the Cadhame (Halle verrière) – a multidisciplinary cultural space hosting art installations, happenings and concerts are sited at varying floor levels. Our intervention unifies them to define a contemporary institutional identity in dialogue with an industrial heritage. An undulating poured-in-place concrete surface alludes to glass production as it unites the buildings. The surface functions as roof, ceiling, and wall, connecting the buildings’ ground floors to frame a public plaza. New functions are sensitively introduced under and over this surface, including offices, workshop areas, a cafe and restaurant. Existing building functions are reimaged and extended: the factory hall is given a new entrance on a previously unused basement floor and a 500-seat black box theater that can be reconfigured as a theater with standing room for 700 or opened into a concert hall for 3,000. The new public space heightens civic awareness of the historical site and also introduces a highly flexible venue for outdoor theater, concerts, and seasonal festivities. Client's intentions: Supported by federal funding, the regional government of the Commune de Bitche initiated Site Verrier as a cultural anchor in the pastoral hills of the Northern Vosges to regenerate the region. The design task was to unleash synergy and create a dynamic community by bringing together three disparate organizations that were located in the remaining structures of a closed-down glass factory. Each building has unique heritage status and, because of the sloped landscape, non share the same ground level. How to turn this into a thriving regional hub? Design response: Our design response introduces a new, common ground that literally and symbolically supports the integration of the various organizations and buildings on campus. A continuous undulating slab connects the multiple ground levels and stimulates easy circulation between the various programs. Apart from this one apparent gesture, various acupunctural interventions produce new visual and physical connectivity to enhance the sense of synergy and cross-pollination.