Accommodation center

Atelier Fernandez & Serres designed the international accommodation center for the oceanological observatory of Banyuls-sur-Mer, featuring a restaurant, working space for scientific research and seventy-four bedrooms.

Accommodation center
The project of the accommodation center consists in a restaurant, working space for scientific research and seventy-four bedrooms.
The building is part of a complex of facilities which include the oceanological research center and observatory of Banyuls-sur-Mer, in France.
The building is located on the seaside and continues along the existing topography, be it of the sky, the ground or the horizon. It reinvents the relationship between the view and the landscape, and accompanies the building height plan of the city.
International accommodation center for the oceanological observatory,
Atelier Fernandez & Serres, International accommodation center for the oceanological observatory, Banyuls-sur-Mer, France

Its ocher tones reflect the surrounding hills and the nature of the soil that comprises the cultivated terraces of the hinterlands. These hills covered with vineyards tower above the sea and glint with the deep earthy hues of iron oxides.

The project, a rectangular monolith entirely coated in a gown of pink-ocher coral, faces the marina. It also marks the limits of the shore and the city. Behind this undulating envelope, access to the bedrooms is provided by large peripheral walkways that also serve as balconies for the accommodations. The walkways are covered with a self-consolidating concrete mesh inspired by a graphic, light and see-through coral design (Gorgones).

Atelier Fernandez & Serres, International accommodation center for the oceanological observatory
Atelier Fernandez & Serres, International accommodation center for the oceanological observatory, Banyuls-sur-Mer, France
The facades have been developed using a limited amount of distinct shapes, also called strands, that were casted on site. These strands were then assembled in modules according to a simple mathematical algorithm which creates a vibration in the shadows and the matter.
The restaurant is on the second floor. Its presence is highlighted by a large breach in the coral mesh, a window inviting the landscaping inside, and offering a panoramic view of the horizon and the open sea.
Atelier Fernandez & Serres, International accommodation center for the oceanological observatory, Banyuls-sur-Mer, France
Atelier Fernandez & Serres, International accommodation center for the oceanological observatory, Banyuls-sur-Mer, France

The colorful concrete mesh is at the same time a balustrade and a visual filter to the sea. It provides a wall that guarantees the intimacy of users, bedrooms and walkways. It also features openings which offer a subtle variation to the framing of the near and far landscape.

The gaze is attracted from the inside to the outside and reveals the landscape. The views become rhythmic, accentuated by the movements and the different uses.

Beyond simple matter, the project falls within a poetic and scientific approach in order to reveal the landscape.


International accommodation center for the oceanological observatory, Banyuls-sur-Mer, France
Program: Residence (74 bedrooms), restaurant, workrooms, parking
Architects: Atelier Fernandez & Serres
Office engineering: GRONTMIJ Sudéquip
Client: Laboratoire Arago - Université Pierre et Marie Curie
Area: 2980 sqm
Completion: 2013

Latest on Architecture

Latest on Domus

Read more
China Germany India Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Sri Lanka Korea icon-camera close icon-comments icon-down-sm icon-download icon-facebook icon-heart icon-heart icon-next-sm icon-next icon-pinterest icon-play icon-plus icon-prev-sm icon-prev Search icon-twitter icon-views icon-instagram