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Maison de la Mer
Maison de la Mer
Argelès-sur-Mer, France
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Other Projects by Ateliers A+
Maison de la Mer
Argelès-sur-Mer, France
Firm
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2025
SIZE
1000 sqft - 3000 sqft
BUDGET
$5M - 10M
Maison de la Mer : A Landscape-Oriented Architecture Conceived as a Public Park
Located at the heart of the harbour on the site of the former marina car park, this integrated architectural and landscape development restructures the public realm to provide residents and visitors with a new public park and a new focal point, celebrating the coastline, the marine park and the Massane Forest.
A landscaped esplanade, featuring a marine-themed play area, a zip line and spaces for relaxation, enlivens the central promenade and naturally guides pedestrian and cycle routes towards the Maison de la Mer and its educational rooftop trail. Conceived as a genuine Mediterranean garden, the building can be explored via a staircase that winds its way up the sloping roof to a belvedere, positioned eight metres above ground level and offering panoramic 360-degree views over the distinctive landscape of the Côte Vermeille: the harbour, the sea, the town and the Albères Massif.
The landscape composition forms a natural continuation of the coastal ecosystem followed by the coastal path and, further afield, the historic customs officers’ trail.
A Strong and Legible Identity
Inspired by the idea of flight — evoking the wind, the waves and the imagination — the building rises gently from the landscape, blending into its surroundings without dominating them. Its curved roofs, conceived as genuine suspended gardens, undulate like sails and planted waves. They shelter the working areas, provide solar protection, regulate indoor temperatures and guide visitors towards the accessible roof terrace.
The building’s architecture unfolds as an urban promenade, drawing inspiration from the pedestrian routes that pass through it, from the esplanade to the rooftop. Clear, generous and welcoming, it establishes a continuous dialogue with both the landscape and its users.
More than a public facility, the Maison de la Mer becomes a beacon between land and sea: a landmark that is clearly identifiable from a distance by harbour users and visitors alike. It makes a distinctive contribution to the landscape while respecting its setting, demonstrating that architecture can be functional, sensitive and ambitious in equal measure.
A Resource-Efficient and Sustainable Building
Its compact form responds to the site’s flood-risk constraints, reduces embodied carbon and optimises user comfort while limiting energy consumption.
Awarded the Occitanie Sustainable Building Silver certification, the Maison de la Mer combines precise, balanced design with a carefully considered selection of durable materials. Priority was given to the reuse and recycling of existing materials : asphalt from the former car park was repurposed as stepping stones; the forecourt incorporates bush-hammered concrete made with recycled aggregates and crushed roof tiles; and the existing guardrails were refurbished.
For the insulation, Métisse was selected : a high-performance, environmentally responsible thermal and acoustic insulation product manufactured in France from recycled textile fibres.
The roof system provides a simple and effective bioclimatic response by supporting biodiversity, providing shade and limiting overheating.
Located at the heart of the harbour on the site of the former marina car park, this integrated architectural and landscape development restructures the public realm to provide residents and visitors with a new public park and a new focal point, celebrating the coastline, the marine park and the Massane Forest.
A landscaped esplanade, featuring a marine-themed play area, a zip line and spaces for relaxation, enlivens the central promenade and naturally guides pedestrian and cycle routes towards the Maison de la Mer and its educational rooftop trail. Conceived as a genuine Mediterranean garden, the building can be explored via a staircase that winds its way up the sloping roof to a belvedere, positioned eight metres above ground level and offering panoramic 360-degree views over the distinctive landscape of the Côte Vermeille: the harbour, the sea, the town and the Albères Massif.
The landscape composition forms a natural continuation of the coastal ecosystem followed by the coastal path and, further afield, the historic customs officers’ trail.
A Strong and Legible Identity
Inspired by the idea of flight — evoking the wind, the waves and the imagination — the building rises gently from the landscape, blending into its surroundings without dominating them. Its curved roofs, conceived as genuine suspended gardens, undulate like sails and planted waves. They shelter the working areas, provide solar protection, regulate indoor temperatures and guide visitors towards the accessible roof terrace.
The building’s architecture unfolds as an urban promenade, drawing inspiration from the pedestrian routes that pass through it, from the esplanade to the rooftop. Clear, generous and welcoming, it establishes a continuous dialogue with both the landscape and its users.
More than a public facility, the Maison de la Mer becomes a beacon between land and sea: a landmark that is clearly identifiable from a distance by harbour users and visitors alike. It makes a distinctive contribution to the landscape while respecting its setting, demonstrating that architecture can be functional, sensitive and ambitious in equal measure.
A Resource-Efficient and Sustainable Building
Its compact form responds to the site’s flood-risk constraints, reduces embodied carbon and optimises user comfort while limiting energy consumption.
Awarded the Occitanie Sustainable Building Silver certification, the Maison de la Mer combines precise, balanced design with a carefully considered selection of durable materials. Priority was given to the reuse and recycling of existing materials : asphalt from the former car park was repurposed as stepping stones; the forecourt incorporates bush-hammered concrete made with recycled aggregates and crushed roof tiles; and the existing guardrails were refurbished.
For the insulation, Métisse was selected : a high-performance, environmentally responsible thermal and acoustic insulation product manufactured in France from recycled textile fibres.
The roof system provides a simple and effective bioclimatic response by supporting biodiversity, providing shade and limiting overheating.
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