In La Seyne-sur-Mer, France, where the former shipyard area is being converted for use as visitor facilities, Data Architectes designed a new recreational and cultural complex with a casino, a performance hall and restaurants. The site covers a long stretch of waterfront between a big cruise ship dock to the east and a new public park, "Le Parc de la Navale", to the west; the area also includes a hotel, and more projects are planned, including a cultural and commercial centre in the docks, an extension of the marina.
The architects translated the need to preserve the place’s inheritance and the complexity of a context that is still changing into a single volume with a simple, regular geometric shape positioned in dialogue with the environment.
The layout of the complex fits into the site parallel to the docks, as if it were a big ship moored in the docks. A large paved area guides visitors to a single entrance leading to both the casino and the theatre. The casino halls are located in what would be the prow of the ship, while the glass "control tower" contains restaurants with panoramic views.
Design: Data Architectes
Location: La Seyne-sur-Mer, France
Images courtesy of Data Architectes photo by Javier Callejas
www.dataarchitectes.com