Danish architects BIG have won a competition to build a cultural centre on the riverfront of Bordeaux, France. The new Maison de l'economie Creative et de la Culture en Aquitaine — MECA —, located on the historical riverfront of Bordeaux. The structure will house three regional visual and performing arts agencies in one single institution.

BIG's proposal arranges a center for contemporary art, the performing arts institution and the center for literature and movies around a "public space" open towards the city of Bordeaux and the Garonne River. The building is conceived as a single loop of "public space" and cultural institutions as the pavement of the promenade rises to form the roof of the main lobbies, then snakes through the programmatic hearts of the 3 institutions.

The building and promenade is clad in the limestone which constitutes the majority of Bordeaux's architecture. During festivals or other special occasions in the city, the outside of the MECA can be transformed into a stage for outdoor concerts, theatrical spectacles or art installations.