Mémoire d’une tour

Displayed in public spaces, the photographs from the project *Mémoire d’une tour, récit de chantier* reveal the history of a neighborhood in transition.

In 2017, a piece of concrete cladding from a cantilever fell onto a balcony of the building located at 3 Boulevard des Minimes. An architectural expert was commissioned, and precautionary measures were put in place. In 2018, the building was issued a safety hazard order regarding the balconies. Use of the balconies was prohibited. Safety nets were installed to prevent structural elements from falling. In 2020, renovation work began on the occupied site, with an estimated duration of 28 months. Around the building, the demolition of surrounding houses began at the same time as the renovation project.

Memory of a Tower, a construction site narrative, offers a glimpse into the history of a 1960s building, from its construction to its renovation. The project arose from a private initiative by the condominium association, which sought to preserve its intangible and architectural heritage: the tower located at 3 Boulevard des Minimes. This building is one of the few high-rise buildings (IGH) constructed between 1950 and 1970 within the city limits of Toulouse, bearing witness to the collective and social projects of that era. Through the works of two artists, Marilina Prigent and Marie-Stéphane Salgas, (photographs, videos, films, interviews) created during the renovation, the project “Mémoire d’une tour” documented the history of the tower’s construction as well as family and community life within the building.

To mark the launch of Le Nouveau Printemps 2026 by Rossy de Palma, a selection of images from the project and from the series Intérieurs by Marie-Stéphane Salgas are on display in public spaces.