NAS architecture revives 17th-century chapel in southern france as third-place library

NAS architecture links chapel to library extension in france

In the small Provencal village of Rochefort-du-Gard, France, NAS architecture reclaims a forgotten corner of the historic center with La Source, a third-place library that transforms the long-abandoned Saint-Joseph Chapel into a cultural space. Framing a modest square at the intersection of Rue de l’Église and Rue du Grand Pont, the hybrid project weaves together a contemporary library extension with the restored 17th-century chapel, now home to a digital museum. With folding glass doors that fully open onto the square and a new footbridge reconnecting the two structures, La Source aims to revitalize the heart of the village through architecture and access to culture.

all images by Severin Malaud

accordion-style folding glass doors link inside and out

Originally built between 1638 and 1734 using salvaged stones from the ruined Castellas Castle, the Saint-Joseph Chapel has played many roles over the centuries, from hermitage to town hall, school, and administrative office. But after its closure in 2017 due to structural risks, it stood vacant, flanked by a derelict barn and facing an underused public space. Montpellier-based NAS architecture’s intervention turns this previously neglected site into a welcoming cultural ensemble, using preservation and contemporary design to support the ongoing transformation of Rochefort-du-Gard’s historic center.

The team conceives the ground floor of the library as an extension of the public square. Its north-facing facade is equipped with accordion-style folding glass doors that, when opened, enable open-air events and informal community gatherings. This gesture is supported structurally by a concrete base that spans more than 15 meters without interruption, demonstrating how material decisions enable civic openness. Bush-hammered to develop a stony texture that resonates with local masonry, the concrete also recalls the historical architecture of the French village. On the upper floor, a wooden post-and-beam structure introduces warmth and lightness. Here, a sloping metal roof lowers toward the square, aligning the new volume with the scale and geometry of the adjacent chapel while subtly framing the urban void.

NAS architecture reclaims a forgotten corner of the historic center with La Source

wood panels clad the interior of La Source

From the square, a pedestrian footbridge leads visitors across to the rehabilitated Saint-Joseph Chapel. Reinforced with new tension rods and treated with a soft patina wash, the chapel retains its raw stone textures while integrating new wood furnishings that house digital equipment and define an open director’s office. A single pendant light marks the center of the space, offering a minimal but deliberate intervention that respects the chapel’s vaulted character while supporting its new function as a digital museum.

At ground level, the same stone-like paving from the square flows indoors, anchoring a central service spine with concrete columns. These support a modular layout, where utility spaces, like restrooms, reception, and circulation, are discreetly enclosed in timber. The upper level offers a distinct atmosphere, where pine rafters and panels form a calm ceiling for reading and study. Timber portals guide sightlines toward the square, subtly aligning built form with human experience. Throughout the building, NAS architecture uses wood paneling to provide a unified, warm backdrop, allowing books and cultural programming to capture the eye.

Beyond its material choices and careful detailing, La Source embodies a larger civic ambition. By integrating heritage preservation with new cultural programming, like the year-round educational workshops planned in the digital museum, the project actively responds to a local context marked by demographic shifts and a fading town center. 

the third-place library transforms the long-abandoned Saint-Joseph Chapel into a cultural space

framing a modest square at the intersection of Rue de l’Église and Rue du Grand Pont

the hybrid project weaves together a contemporary library extension with the restored 17th-century chapel

a footbridge reconnects the two structures

NAS architecture’s intervention turns this previously neglected site into a welcoming cultural ensemble

now home to a digital museum, the chapel was built between 1638 and 1734

throughout the building, NAS architecture uses wood paneling

the upper level offers a distinct atmosphere

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perspective top view of the project by NAS architecture

integrating heritage preservation with new cultural programming

the project actively responds to a local context

project info:

name: Third-Place Library ‘La Source’
architect: NAS architecture | @nas_architecture
location: Rochefort-du-Gard, France

photographer: Severin Malaud | @severinmalaud

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edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom