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This project transformed a 19th-century Neo-Gothic church into the Maison de la Littérature, an exceptional library and literary center. Chevalier Morales Architectes inserted a contemporary glass volume into the heritage structure, and STEKAR supplied the STE-6000 curtain wall and custom glazing systems for this flawless façade.

A three-storey glass cube now occupies what was once the church’s courtyard, connected to the historic stone walls. The ultra-transparent curtain wall is composed of delicate aluminum mullions and large low-iron glass panes, creating an almost invisible enclosure that highlights the library’s interior and the preserved masonry surrounding it.

The new glass façades flood the library with natural light during the day and allow the building to glow from the outside at night, symbolizing transparency and knowledge. STEKAR also modernized the existing windows and skylights using modern insulating glazing that respects the building’s character.

The technical challenge of marrying old and new was overcome through precision-engineered anchors and carefully detailed thermal solutions to protect the heritage fabric.