Implementing redevelopment. Capitainerie by Pietri Architectes

The “Capitainerie” by PietriArchitectes in the south-eastern French town of La Londe-les-Maures, between Saint-Tropez and Toulon on the Mediterranean coast, is a project to redevelop the port and its facilities. It replaces an old inadequate facility and blends in harmoniously with the urban environment and landscape.



Redeveloping a port area, considering climate change where floods are on the increase, without disturbing the overall visual impact of the seafront is certainly not a simple task in a period marked by the race for “landmarks” at any cost.



The team from French architecture firm, PietriArchitectes with the Capitaneria in La Londe-les-Maures has proved that all of this is possible and can even be done with fine elegance.





Far from wanting to build an out-of-place iconic structure as an end in itself, to replace an old inadequate facility to meet the needs of today, they preferred to adopt design solutions including a careful selection of materials like concrete, wood and stainless steel that can withstand the  marine climate, tried and tested in other waterfront projects by the same firm.





The “Capitainerie” facility sits on the pier like a raised urban pavilion (to avoid flooding) and its interior of three separate levels - or decks connected by gangways - contains the Harbour Master's Offices, Yacht Club, Fishing Club and the Search & Rescue Centre as well as a Reception Hall, Conference Room and a Rooftop Terrace, making it a real multipurpose centre.



The white volume with rounded edges is shaped like a barge, referencing the ships that pass by and dock here, and it is perfect for the Mediterranean context. In La Londe-les-Maures, PietriArchitectes proves that being empathetic is a virtue that pays in architecture too!

Christiane Bürklein

Project: PietriArchitectes
Location: La Lond-les-Maures, France
Year: 2014
Area: 407 m2
Images: © Christian Michel, © Lisa Ricciotti - courtesy of v2com