La Manufacture
Tiers-lieu inclusif et citoyen pour la reconquête du savoir-faire
This abandoned foundry site was a major source of employment from the Iron Age to the Industrial Revolution, but socio-economic crises in the 1980s led to its decline. La Manufacture, our project with Artis’up is transforming this historic site into an inclusive and community-driven manufacturing hub, with shared tools for businesses, citizens, and associations to create, transform, and recycle materials while fulfilling collective needs.
France
Fonderie FOMES
1-3 rue des Falaises
36360 LUCAY-LE-MALE
1-3 rue des Falaises
36360 LUCAY-LE-MALE
Prototype level
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
36103: Luçay-le-Mâle (FR)
The former foundry site is now classified as an abandoned industrial area by the Indre Prefecture . Our project aims to restore and renovate the structure to create a community hub open to all—a space for gathering, discussion, and project development. It will offer shared access to tools, machinery, IT equipment, and 3D printers for creating, manufacturing, and recycling of local products.
This business and activity incubator will welcome everyone in an inclusive environment. The renovations, focused on well-being, nature, sustainability and energy self-sufficiency, will be carried out with support from the " fonds friche vert " fund backed by the State and ADEME.
The original building, designed by the famous Atelier Eiffel in the early 20th century, will be preserved to maintain its industrial heritage. We are partnering with the Artis’Up manufacturing center in Châteauroux and have the support of the departmental council as part of reindustrialization efforts in the area.
The municipality of LUÇAY-LE-MÂLE holds dual recognition, awarded the titles of "French Capital of Biodiversity" and "Committed Territory for Nature." Our project also involves citizen groups from the European initiative "Let’s Go 4 Climate."
This business and activity incubator will welcome everyone in an inclusive environment. The renovations, focused on well-being, nature, sustainability and energy self-sufficiency, will be carried out with support from the " fonds friche vert " fund backed by the State and ADEME.
The original building, designed by the famous Atelier Eiffel in the early 20th century, will be preserved to maintain its industrial heritage. We are partnering with the Artis’Up manufacturing center in Châteauroux and have the support of the departmental council as part of reindustrialization efforts in the area.
The municipality of LUÇAY-LE-MÂLE holds dual recognition, awarded the titles of "French Capital of Biodiversity" and "Committed Territory for Nature." Our project also involves citizen groups from the European initiative "Let’s Go 4 Climate."
Workshop
Third place / community hub
Inclusive
Environmental
Heritage
The foundry industry has existed in our community since the Iron Age, thanks to the richness of its soil. The current site was built in the 18th century, and in a spirit of continuity, we plan to renovate the buildings, clean up, and restore the natural environment. The site would operate thanks to a sustainable, local, and adaptive green energy system.
Materials will be selected for their sustainability and durability to ensure a resilient and efficient structure. The project aims to repurpose existing dilapidated, substandard, and polluting buildings. It addresses economic, social, and environmental needs while preserving the site's industrial aesthetic and enhancing its integration into the surrounding landscape.
Materials will be selected for their sustainability and durability to ensure a resilient and efficient structure. The project aims to repurpose existing dilapidated, substandard, and polluting buildings. It addresses economic, social, and environmental needs while preserving the site's industrial aesthetic and enhancing its integration into the surrounding landscape.
Located at the entrance of the town, in a residential area, the abandoned foundry site negatively impacts the landscape and the image of the community. Well thought-out renovations areessential. Many residents see it as an "industrial eyesore," a lingering reminder of a time when the foundry employed hundreds of workers.
There is a strong desire within the community to restore social, economic, and cultural activity, breathe new life into the site, reclaim it, and revive the town’s rural dynamism.
There is a strong desire within the community to restore social, economic, and cultural activity, breathe new life into the site, reclaim it, and revive the town’s rural dynamism.
The concept of “working together” is central to the project. Bringing together associations, citizens, artisans, entrepreneurs, and self-employed workers, it will include dedicated workshops for seniors and students, ensuring broad community participation.
A space for upcycling and object restoration, as part of the Let’s Go 4 Climate project, is also planned. Depending on conditions, the site will be freely accessible at all times. Of course, it will be fully adapted for people with reduced mobility, following PRM urban planning regulations and incorporating input from disabled individuals to ensure maximum accessibility.
A space for upcycling and object restoration, as part of the Let’s Go 4 Climate project, is also planned. Depending on conditions, the site will be freely accessible at all times. Of course, it will be fully adapted for people with reduced mobility, following PRM urban planning regulations and incorporating input from disabled individuals to ensure maximum accessibility.
Our town is deeply rural and classified under the “France Ruralités Revitalisation” program. The local industrial heritage is currently used by businesses and artisans. To accommodate new structures, the Communauté de Communes Ecueillé Valençay is leading the renovation of the foundry site.
There is a strong demand for a third place—a space for gathering, socializing, and reflection—supported by citizens, associations, businesses, schools, youth, and seniors alike. This project is driven by a powerful participatory movement, engaging both locals and residents of surrounding areas.
There is a strong demand for a third place—a space for gathering, socializing, and reflection—supported by citizens, associations, businesses, schools, youth, and seniors alike. This project is driven by a powerful participatory movement, engaging both locals and residents of surrounding areas.
State services quickly supported this project to renovate a polluting industrial wasteland. The Prefecture, Direction Départementale des Territoires (DDT), and ADEME are working together on its legal, technical, and financial aspects. We collaborate with the environmental associations Indre Nature and CPIE Brenne Berry on ecological matters.
The Indre Departmental Council supports the initiative as part of reindustrialization efforts in the Department , and the regional government is also being approached for funding and implementation. The association Village Espoir Soleil (seniors), local schools, and various cultural, sports, and social organizations are contributing to the concept’s development.
Citizens involved in the Let’s Go 4 Climate program are also engaged in the project. Additionally, we are partnering with the Artis’Up workshop, which already has experience and is considering sponsorship and collaboration with us.
The Indre Departmental Council supports the initiative as part of reindustrialization efforts in the Department , and the regional government is also being approached for funding and implementation. The association Village Espoir Soleil (seniors), local schools, and various cultural, sports, and social organizations are contributing to the concept’s development.
Citizens involved in the Let’s Go 4 Climate program are also engaged in the project. Additionally, we are partnering with the Artis’Up workshop, which already has experience and is considering sponsorship and collaboration with us.
The project was born in 2016, since then we have set up numerous meetings, consultations, interviews to arrive today at a project established, quantified and acclaimed by all the stakeholders. We are aiming for global project that requires interaction and exchange between participants. In addition to solicitating citizens, companies, craftsmen, associations, amongst other stakeholders in the process leading to the project’s adoption, we also collaborated with architectural firms, energy and thermal specialists, naturalist and environmental associations as well as river unions. We aim to set up a collective, respectful and civic project.
The uniqueness and innovative aspect of this project relies on the strong involvement of citizens. Collaboration with the Châteauroux citizen’s workshop, numerous associations, beyond simply local ones, local, departmental, and regional authorities, as well as state services, reflects a shared commitment to this collective endeavor.
Unlike similar projects, this initiative represents an entire territory coming together, drawing inspiration from its past to be reborn.
Unlike similar projects, this initiative represents an entire territory coming together, drawing inspiration from its past to be reborn.
This project was developed thanks to citizen’s participation, bringing together all those willing to contribute. Several social, economic, and environmental studies have been reviewed, and the experience of key stakeholders has been considered. A continuous assessment would allow for the implementation of corrective measures if needed and ensure the long-term success of the initiative.
Inspired by the model of companionship, the "foundry" has already shared experiences from other existing structures. The collaboration with Artis’Up is vital to ensure the continuity of the project and our ambition to replicate, transfer, and adapt this paradigm to other social, economic, and cultural infrastructures.
Our municipality is facing the same challenges as other rural areas : an aging population, distance from services, unemployment, and isolated youth. The "foundry," in its proposal, will create professional or community workshops. It will offer a third space open to discussing, integration, healing, as well as the sharing of knowledge, skills, and recycling practices, inside buildings that are accessible to all, welcoming, and friendly. The involvement of the senior organization Village Espoir Soleil and local schools will facilitate intergenerational encounters. Our ambition is to offer those excluded from the workforce the opportunity to find their place in society by joining this movement.
In its economic and social development concept, the "foundry" is an integral part of the history of our municipality. It has existed since the beginning of time itself and serves as a common theme and link between the past and a shared future. Sustainability is at the very core of this project, as it aims to create a long-lasting structure that citizens can rely on to train, inform, reconnect, and build a shared history together. The wide participation, regardless of one’s skills, age, experience, or social background, is essential to bring the space and structure to life. Environmental protection, nature conservation, and aesthetic preservation ensure the project’s reception and the participants' desire to preserve and maintain the site.
The New European Bauhaus proposal aligns with our hopes and will enable us to carry out this initiative for the well-being of all.
The New European Bauhaus proposal aligns with our hopes and will enable us to carry out this initiative for the well-being of all.
