The Grand Paris Notaries
a look back at our collaboration
Presentation
the chambre des notaires and the competition's goals explained by its president, bertrand savouré
« During these months of collaboration, the Chambre apreciated the relevance of Because Architecture Matters' intervention, and its quality of listening in the process of this architectural project. BAM has notably expressed in the competition brief all the needs and put forward the project potential for the architecture firms. Besides, many candidates for the competition told us about the high quality of the competition brief. »
Alain Joubert, General Secretary of the Chambre des Notaires de Paris
- Values and aspirations of a profession
The notarial profession, like many other legal professions, is going through a period of rapid change following a significant identity crisis, largely as a result of the introduction of digital uses into its areas of expertise. As one of the most advanced in the use of digital tools among the legal professions, it must redefine the principles of its relationship with its clients as well as the resulting practices between colleagues. Indeed, the future of the profession will largely play out in a global process of digitized exchanges, with, for example, the implementation of secure electronic signatures, or in-depth work on blockchain technology.
Because of the distancing involved in those processes, it is essential that the Hôtel de la Chambre des Notaires be able to embody the human values of listening, empathy and trust, which represent a vital part of the notaires' occupation, and which fundamentally differentiate them from emerging digital competitors.
As a symbolic home for the profession, the Hôtel du Châtelet must be able to generate a closer and more tangible link between the centuries-old know-how of the notaires and the innovations that contemporary tools allow. It will also highlight the primary image of a "public servant" accessible for, and competent in, their advisory function, included in the ordinance of 2 November 1945 which defines the main duties of every notaire.why did they decide to organize a competition?
Through a competition, the Chambre des Notaires' members wanted to renovate the building, by rethinking its internal organization and all the activities it hosts, and to return the building to the heart of contemporary dynamics.
Beyond a simple renovation of the Hôtel de la Chambre des Notaires, this will therefore involve, through a deep restructuration of the program and a true reflection on the challenges of the profession, to take advantage of the building's outstanding position and to strengthen the presence of the notaires. The building, its functions, and its future arrangement, far from merely embodying the solemnity of the institution it represents, will have to convey the dynamism of a profession in constant evolution.
