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The Medico-Social has become the Hôtel du Parc
As its name suggests, in the 1950s, this building housed a health and social center for the site’s staff and the inhabitants of Arles. Renovated by Selldorf Architects, it is now a hotel.
Key facts and figures
- Surface area: 1,016 square meters
- 1950: health and social center
- 2020: presentation of the “It’s Urgent!” exhibition
- 2021: opening of the Hôtel du Parc
History and initial use
Built at the end of the 19th century, the building became a health and social center in the 1950s for the site’s staff and the local population.
Near the historic gate on Avenue Victor Hugo stands the Medico-Social. This building, which was set up in the Park at the end of the 19th century, took on its social dimension in the 1950s with the development of various spaces and services for the site’s staff and the local population.
Under the direction of a social worker, the center offered domestic training courses (sewing, cooking), corrective gymnastics exercises, and consultations for children provided by a specialist physician.
A medical room with an X-ray machine was permanently run by a nurse.
There were also a library and rooms reserved for staff companies.
At the time, this building was a meeting point between the city and the workshops.
Building renovation
The Medico-Social was the last building to be renovated by Selldorf Architects.
The Medico-Social was the last building to be renovated by Selldorf Architects. The façade and the roof were completely refurbished. The original interior staircase was retained.
Today
When it opens in 2021, the Medico-Social has become a hotel.
Le Medico-Social was revealed to the public in the summer of 2020 while it was still in the interim phase of construction. Inside, the exhibition It's Urgent! designed by Hans Ulrich Obrist was presented.
