CITÉ DE L'OCÉAN ET DU SURF
Biarritz, France, 2005-2010
PROGRAM: museum, plaza and exhibition areas
CLIENT: City of Biarritz / Adim Sud Ouest
SIZE: 3800 sm
STATUS: construction phase
This new museum project intends to raise awareness of oceanic issues and to explore educational and scientific aspects of the surf and sea and their role upon our leisure, science, and ecology. The project is comprised of a museum building, exhibition areas, and a plaza, within a larger master plan. The design concept is based on the phrases "under the sky / under the sea." The building shape is intended to create a central gathering plaza, open to sky and sea, with the horizon in the distance. This "Place de l'Océan", with its curved under-the-sky shape, forms the character of the main exhibition space, while the convex structural ceiling forms the under-the-sea shape. Thus, the concept generates a unique profile and form for the building, and through its insertion and efficient site utilization, the project integrates seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.
Biarritz, France, 2005-2010
PROGRAM: museum, plaza and exhibition areas
CLIENT: City of Biarritz / Adim Sud Ouest
SIZE: 3800 sm
STATUS: construction phase
This new museum project intends to raise awareness of oceanic issues and to explore educational and scientific aspects of the surf and sea and their role upon our leisure, science, and ecology. The project is comprised of a museum building, exhibition areas, and a plaza, within a larger master plan. The design concept is based on the phrases "under the sky / under the sea." The building shape is intended to create a central gathering plaza, open to sky and sea, with the horizon in the distance. This "Place de l'Océan", with its curved under-the-sky shape, forms the character of the main exhibition space, while the convex structural ceiling forms the under-the-sea shape. Thus, the concept generates a unique profile and form for the building, and through its insertion and efficient site utilization, the project integrates seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.
While big urban development projects have become a larger and larger part of Holl's practice, he's best known for inventive cultural buildings, such as the Cite de l'Ocean et du Surf, in Biarritz, France, opening in early 2011. ... the design revolves around a central plaza that Holl describes as 'open to sky and sea, the horizon in the distance.' It proves he's still capable of simple, poetic gestures.
-Departures
-Departures
CREDITS
architect
– Steven Holl Architects
Solange Fabião, Steven Holl (design architect)
Rodolfo Dias (project architect)
Chris McVoy (project advisor)
Filipe Taboada (assistant project architect)
Francesco Bartolozzi, Christopher Brokaw, Cosimo Caggiula, Florence Guiraud, Richard Liu, Ernest Ng, Alessandro Orsini, Nelson Wilmotte, Ebbie Wisecarver, Lan Wu, Christina Yessios (project team)
– Rüssli Architekten AG
Justin Rüssli, Mimi Kueh, Stephan Bieri, Björn Zepnik (project team RA)
associate architects
– Agence d'Architecture X.Leibar JM Seigneurin
structural consultant
– Betec & Vinci Construction Marseille
acoustical consultant
– AVEL Acoustique
HVAC consultant
– Elithis
architect
– Steven Holl Architects
Solange Fabião, Steven Holl (design architect)
Rodolfo Dias (project architect)
Chris McVoy (project advisor)
Filipe Taboada (assistant project architect)
Francesco Bartolozzi, Christopher Brokaw, Cosimo Caggiula, Florence Guiraud, Richard Liu, Ernest Ng, Alessandro Orsini, Nelson Wilmotte, Ebbie Wisecarver, Lan Wu, Christina Yessios (project team)
– Rüssli Architekten AG
Justin Rüssli, Mimi Kueh, Stephan Bieri, Björn Zepnik (project team RA)
associate architects
– Agence d'Architecture X.Leibar JM Seigneurin
structural consultant
– Betec & Vinci Construction Marseille
acoustical consultant
– AVEL Acoustique
HVAC consultant
– Elithis