At l'Escaut the projects are formulated through various practices. Within the studio, the team of architects works with people from the performing and fine arts (actors, directors, theatre designers, producers, etc.). This interdisciplinary approach is nourished by a dimension of openness and sharing knowledge as well as pleasure. Preparing a meal is as important as carrying out a coordination meeting or technical research.
In the field, l'Escaut’s commitment is expressed in concrete terms through various levels of citizen participation (from consultation to appropriation, and including architecture workshops, dialogues, etc.). Anthropological research carried out by specialists, as well as a territorial approach developed by landscape architects, often back up the architectural and urban planning skills of the studio. l'Escaut commitment is also expressed in the staging dimension of the projects, which signifies a very physical understanding of their profession.
The spatial forms resulting from these practices are varied and specific according to the contexts and processes that have conditioned them. A few recurrences nonetheless: the maximum effect with the minimum means, with political, social and ecological awareness; a search for lightness relieving the investment in the project as measured in time and energy.
This approach requires continuous experimentation, and leads to concrete expressions with a strong personality. It is valued both by public institutions and by private clients.
L'Escaut is a cooperative company with 16 associates, including 3 administrators.
Occasional and recurrent partners are added to the team depending on the project: engineers, landscapers, town planners, artists, etc.
L’Escaut was founded in 1989 by Olivier Bastin, architect-scenographer, and Micheline Hardy, actress-director-scriptwriter-producer.
