Jean Nouvel’s Granite Monolith Covered with Vegetation Overlooks the Port of Vigo

By: admin | July - 31 - 2011

Atelier Jean Nouvel designed the masterplan and main building for the renovation of Port of Vigo in Spain – the biggest fishing port in the world.
The Menhir, a monolith upright standing stone, is the inspiration for the project; a building 90 metres-high located on the northern edge of the Liner’s quay extension with a drilled façade covered with vegetation suggesting erosion and sedimentation performed on the rock. Connected by public transport on the surface, the monolith will host a hotel and a panoramic restaurant in the upper floors, as the intermediate floors will host the port’s control centre, a conference centre and port offices.
Other programs of the project are: Leisure Park: surging from the extension of the current green area in Montero Ríos street, a leisure park in the Comercio’s Quay will be found, redefining the alignment and creating a promenade area along the Port. A vegetal façade which allows the views to the sea.
Liners quay:
 to solve access into this quay two alternatives have been considered: the first option consists of surface access for emergency vehicles and shuttles through reserved ways and a subterranean access for taxis, VIP vehicles and deliveries. The second one consists of keeping surface access and opening a subterranean access through the important ways along the port and an entrance through the Arenal tunnel. Considering the illumination of the distinct elements, the colour turquoise is contemplated for the the Menhir in low tides and the blue in the high ones.
The activity village: situated between the Sessions building and the Passenger Terminal, it will consist of five small granite blocks into which restaurants, bars and shops will be installed in the ground floor and working areas in the first one.
Passenger Terminal: the integrity of the building will be respected and the grand hall will host a grand café. The customs will be relocated in the ground floor of the right wing, and the maritime companies will be installed in the left wing. Most of the services currently carried out in the Terminal will remain there.
Swimming pool: with two floors and located between the esplanade in front of the Passenger Terminal and Casa Pepe’s warehouses. It will raise above quay level to give the impression of being swimming in the sea.
Elevated footbridge: from the new quay extending the axis of Colon and Arenal streets. This footbridge will lie on the new Yacht Club and serve as access to the liner’s quay.
Museum: projected as a granite block divided by a fault in which the sea penetrates following the tide changes. A covered square will host the public at the foot of the bridge, while the exhibition rooms will be aligned on one side opening over the port and progressively sinking in the quay’s ground toward the monolith.