Monaco Sea extension
Mareterra

Creating a sea extension is an artificial action. The project’s design sought, conversely, to make the idea of gaining ground from the sea seem perfectly natural. In practice, this resulted in the creation of two ecosystems, one land-based, on the extension, and the other sea-based, in alignment with the extension. In keeping with this specific setting, the construction technique consisted in making a large barrage made of reinforced concrete caissons. Once this sanctuary was in place, infilling operations could be carried out without spoiling the neighbouring sea beds. This new shore follows the isobath contour at -30 metres, thus replicating a natural form and facilitating the flow of the currents that oxygenate the underwater animal and plant life. The posidonia meadows of Le Larvotto and the slope of the Spélugues coral reef are kept intact and supplemented by new structures suited to accommodating an expansion of animal and plant life.

The platform thus constructed has been raised at its centre by the creation of a hill abundantly planted with large stone pines, thus giving a more harmonious feel to the new coastline curve around which it winds. The district located on this extension is diverse yet integrated. Villas sit beside the sea, as in the Riviera’s earliest urban settlements, then gradually rise to form the upper section of buildings arranged to face the sea. Below the hill, a cluster of showrooms complements the neighbouring Grimaldi Forum. The southern part sits alongside a small marina, around which restaurants and shops fan out. A large apartment block placed between the port and the sea, on piles, constitutes the project’s most maritime part. It was designed by the architect Renzo Piano.

Valode & Pistre was in charge of the overall project plan, the architectural design of public infrastructure and facilities, the architectural design of the central district known as the “Water Gardens” and also the Hill district which accommodates showrooms as an extension of the Grimaldi Forum. This project was carried out in partnership with Renzo Piano, in charge of the Port district; Michel Desvigne, in charge of landscaping; and the Monegasque architect Alexandre Giraldi.