A Home for an Oceanological Observatory

This new home stands directly by the sea in the protected marine conservation area at Banyuls-Cerbères and is part of the same building complex as the oceanological observatory and centre for research at Banyuls-sur-Mer. The shape and colour of the building's façade reminds visitors of coral. atelier fernandez & serres has designed a building concept that offers space for a restaurant, working rooms for scientific research and 74 apartments. The coral-like façade lets light pour into the pergolas, which also serve as balconies for guests and provide a degree of privacy. The irregularity of the façade's surface creates a lively building shell. Individual components were locally made of poured concrete and then fixed to the façade as modules at predetermined distances. Source: atelier fernandez & serres