Manufacture des Tabacs | Benoît Martres

The Tobacco Factory opened its doors in 1894 and ceased all activity in 1987. A first extensive restoration was delivered by the architect Gabriel de Hoym de Marien in 1996. It is today an emblematic building of the Toulouse university heritage with its facades and roofs classified as Historic Monuments. In 2018, the architecture competition for the rehabilitation of buildings A, B and D for the relocation of Sciences Po Toulouse (Political Science) was launched.

The AMM Agency, Architecture Malacan Martres, winner of the competition, takes charge of the studies and the organization of the phasing construction. The aim is to be able to welcome the first students and staff of Sciences Po from September 2021. The relocation of the School to the Factory was motivated by the desire to welcome students and staff in good conditions, by offering them an operating environment and material conditions adapted to changes in lifestyles and learning. The restructuring operation of buildings B and D includes functional, thermal and acoustic aspects and upgrading to accessibility standards.The project aims to adapt the existing buildings to the needs of Sciences Po Toulouse, to offer premises that meet the organization of the establishment while favoring versatility and the pooling of spaces.

Despite the constraint of phasing the construction while maintaining the activity of the buildings and receiving the gradual move of Sciences Po, it was a question of preserving the final architectural figure. The codes of the Manufacture have been respected: materials (brick, metal) and colors. The spaces have been redistributed, decompartmentalized and completely renovated to allow, among other things, the creation of a Learning Center and a convivial space for all Sciences Po staff. These spaces have been designed to encourage exchanges and meetings, while preserving serenity and tranquility within the workspaces. The School now occupies approximately 4,300m² of floor space compared to 2,900m² in its former premises.

With this new campus, the Sciences Po of the second largest student city in France is consolidating its position as a world-class university.