​​​​​​​The S.A.I.L.S. Project was born to respond to the contemporary need of sustainable and eco-responsible spaces. Through the creation of symbiotic infrastructures, such as the redesign of the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat nautical base, we want to be part of the synergic process that integrates one of the main French Riviera’s symbols - sailing - into the surrounding environment and the local culture.

Innovations and environmental sustainability

In imaging the S.A.I.L.S. Project we decided to get inspiration from the traditional wood boat construction techniques where a series of timber bended sections create the skeleton of the hull, to guarantee the best hydrodynamic and floating shape. In a similar way, a custom laminated timber structure made out of different sections has been identified as the perfect fit to create an organic, complex but yet feasible architectural shape.

On one hand, the proposal of an internal structure made of laminate wood allows the creation of a sustainable building with a low environmental impact that respects the unquestionable grace of the local landscape; on the other hand, the winding line of the building, recalls the imagery of a boat’s keel, perfectly integrated into the French Riviera’s identity, a timeless symbol of the balance between innovation and tradition.

The photovoltaic transparent glass on a part of the roof improves the efficiency and eco-friendliness of our building, thanks to its capability to generate clean energy for different purposes. The elegance of the building is even more refined by the presence of recycled sails coming from dismissed sailing boats which embody the perfect symbol of clean energy. An efficient and optimised way to use natural elements, sailing boats used the power of wind to run silently and at zero emotions on our seas for millennia. The great ductility of Dacron, usually used for sails, allows it to adapt to the sinuous shape of the building by shading the main facade facing the sea and giving to the new nautical base and beach club a leading role in the
ecological fight into the marina industry.

Social and Ecological Impact

We perceived the identity of the picturesque Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat as deeply related to the respect for the role that the Mediterranean Sea with its activities always played for the inhabitants, a natural element that became the driving force in the transformation of a small fishermen hamlet to one of the most exclusive locations of the French Riviera. 

For this reason, the concept behind the use of recycled sails is not only linked to its ecological value but also presents a building that is profoundly integrated into the local culture and social environment.

We present a nautical base equipped with a facade made of recycled sails, obtained from various kinds of old watercraft - from the dinghies of the sailing school to the majestic tall ships - to point out the stories that the Sea carries within itself and to exalt the love for the unexplored. Each sail is the marker of a specific identity, fitted with a QR code available to everyone, it recreates a sort of open-air museum that tells the adventures, the discoveries, and the risks of the bold sailors.​​​​​​​

The iconic morphology of the peninsula inspired the shape of our project since its natural landscape authenticity is a vital part of the beauty and attractiveness of this coastal area. Integrating the architecture in a seamless landscape gesture allowed us to draw a new coastline for humans and nature by creating an image of a uniform space and a gentle connection between the land and the water.

The goal is to have a building that is perceived differently from a different point of view. From the beautiful villas and panoramic walks on the hill the new Nautical Base appears as an organic extension of the coast, on the other hand, for the navigators and the bathers the architecture trigger a sort of illusion of a regatta taking place on the horizon, thanks to the presence of the sails on the main facade.

Furthermore, the Iconic shape of the frontal facade is drawn to be extended to the vastness of the Sea, as a dynamic entity ready to jump into the water, a symbol of the characteristic inclination of the French Riviera’s vision to the future.

Awards

Shortlisted for Monaco Smart Marina 2023 Award 

Credits

Project developed in collaboration with arch. Suzanne Belaieff for Monaco Smart Marina and Monaco Yacht Club.

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