Garavan between everyday life and seafaring leisure, Nautical Center

Authors’ Comment

Located at the confluence of the urban and port environments, the project bridges the gap between the city and the port of Garavan, bringing together residents, tourists, and water sports enthusiasts into a vibrant, year-round attraction hub.
The complex is built on four core pillars, education, sports, leisure, and culture, anchored by the Garavan Nautical Center and its adjacent facilities: a hotel, spa & gym, recreation areas, a commercial promenade echoing the spirit of Les Sablettes, and a race control tower for sailing competitions.
The circular composition follows the curve of the bay, structured around the axes of the site and the harbor. The design reconfigures the entire waterfront platform (the historic port, the promenade, and the site) to create smooth, continuous pedestrian flows.
To blend seamlessly into the context, the volume maintains a low profile, while local materials like La Turbie limestone and accents of Menton's distinctive green highlight the warm palette of the old town. The ensemble’s expressive character is rounded out by the form of the Nautical Center, which evokes sails filled by the wind.