The 'L'Aiguilleuse' project involves transforming an old railway signal box from the 1960s into a small kiosk bar. This structure is located in the center of Jardins de l'Estuaire, a new public park on the island of Nantes, France.
Originally part of the Nantes-État railway infrastructure, the building was used to control the movement of trains entering the station. As the surrounding railway environment disappeared, the signal box remained a noticeable fragment of the industrial history of the site.
Instead of demolition, the project gave the existing building a new public function. The former technical object has been converted into a place for meetings, relaxation, and fast food, thereby extending the life of this railway heritage and preserving its unique character. The interior area, covering 36 sq. m, is designated for the kiosk bar's operation, so the main interaction with visitors takes place in the open area.
The concept for the new space was developed following a process of public consultation with local residents and future users. The implemented changes are intentionally restrained and clear. The ground floor opens widely onto the public space.
Three facades are richly decorated with louvered windows and folding metal shutters, allowing views of the bar counter and turning the building into an open pavilion connected to the surrounding park. The red-orange color accentuates the metal structures, carpentry, and facade signage, emphasizing the building's presence in the landscape. Two large compositions of painted letters form the new identity of the place. Various elements of the original signal box are preserved, including clocks and railway signal lights, which are integrated into the new appearance and maintain a connection to its former use. At night, the upper level functions as a light signal in the park.
The new name, 'L'Aiguilleuse', refers to former railway signal operators (switchmen), and the feminine gender of the name also contributes to a broader effort to feminize names in public spaces. By transforming this signal box into a new public gathering point, 'L'Aiguilleuse' becomes a new urban landmark in an area undergoing profound changes.