Although a harbour office is a relatively modest building compared to the scale of a harbour, it is its nerve center, its image must therefore stand out to everyone. How to express it, especially when its height is limited to two levels, as is the case in Carnon? Its visibility, from the inside as well as the outside, is of course essential.
client Mauguio Town Council, SPL L’Or Aménagement
location Carnon, Hérault (FR)
project team A+Architecture, Calder Ingénierie, Epsilon GE, L’Echo, Celsius Environnement, Arteba task MOP law on public project contracting and its relationship to private project management + construction schedule supervision and coordination (OPC)
area Building : 448 m2 net floor area / Exterior square : 1,340 net floor area
cost €1,491,304 ex tax
status delivery Competition winner 2018 – Delivered 2023
The particular position of the Carnon harbour office, at the end of two urban perspectives, obviously required additional comprehensibility, for motorists and pedestrians for instance. Wedged in the narrow corner of two quays, it could not obstruct their passage, but on the contrary encourage them to continue their walk along the water’s edge. Thus, the overhang and the sway of the 1st floor are not just a gesture to give it more elegance, but the response to the combination of these expectations which could have been contradictory.
A true brand image of the city, the harbour office will not only be seen by users or pedestrians, its roof, dominated by most of the surrounding housings, offers an additional important view. A work printed on the PVC membrane, which ensures waterproofing, will be offered there.
The very fluid curves of the project, of course borrowed from a nautical style, give the design a deliberate break with the more angular harbour of Carnon, and thus make it remarkable.
Deconstruction and reconstruction of the Carnon Harbour Office and development of the surrounding area. The new Harbour Office will have administrative premises with offices, meeting room, kitchen, archives, changing rooms and toilets; maintenance premises (equipment, events, technical, supply); technical local ; sanitary premises for boaters; reception area for the public and boaters; outdoor spaces (forecourt, parking lot, terrace).
