Hotel-Casino Nice Baie Des Anges

JET_PROM On day, I stumble on an old picture showing the ” Casino Jettee Promenade” in Nice’s the Baie des Anges (France).
This building was erected and designed by James Brunlers, a British Engineer, in the late 1870 and demolished during the World War II. I have learned the ” Casino Jettée Promenade” with its progressive architecture and central location was the landmark of the French Riviera.
ESQUIS01 More than a century later, as I was looking for a thesis topic for my Master of Architecture Degre,  I took on the challenge to design another Casino for the City of Nice. The inspiration remained the same; the new project would have to be as impressive and progressive as the old one. The offshore implementation was the core of the project, for this reason I treated the project like an offshore oil platform. In adding above and under the sea various activities to the superstructure I created a new center of entertainment connected to the shore by a pier. The Casino Nice Baie des Anges was taking shape.
The idea behind the prominent metal structure is to support habitable element, like a huge coral reef support aquatic species in a natural environment. At the same time it contributes to all the connection and circulation within the project. The smoothness of the round shapes are intended to facilitate the interaction with the water and strong winds at sea. The impressive height offers amazing scenic views while the scope of the project is there to recall the grandiose and fast of the first Casino and his role as a landmark.
CADASTRE The choice of the location is the equation of various requirements: a significant depth under the sea level, proximity with the downtown area of Nice and a stunning visual impact from any viewpoint from the “Baie des Anges”. The offshore spot in the alignment of the ending point of the bay, across the famous old town of Nice called “Les Ponchettes” was the perfect site. Furthermore, ” La Colline du Chateau” ( the Castle hill) with its round tower called the Bellanda Tower creates a great interaction with the round shapes of the project.
The new project had to bring all kind of entertainments. I stated those amusements based on the Las Vegas resorts success. Hotel, casino, restaurants, terraces, discothèques, seminar center, concert, but the main difference with Las Vegas resorts is a life above and under water.
ESQUIS02 One of my early sketches depicted the basics of the floating metal superstructure supporting living components. The cylinders under water are the “submarine bedrooms” which act as floaters allowing the building to stay above water.
The cylinders above water are the “aerial bedrooms” with terraces on top. Upward is the Casino with restaurants and terraces above.
The reception desk is located in a sphere at the center of the structure. This area acts like a hub where all the verticals, horizontals, and oblique circulation meet.
Below the reception desk in an underwater cylinder are the discothèques, seminar center, and auditorium.
INS_GIRL The site insertion revealed a successful integration. The green organic mass of ” La Colline du Chateau” and the metallic island dialogue without occulting the view of the Saint Jean Cap-Ferrat hills in the background. Environmentally friendly the edifice can sustain itself with its own electrical generator, water desalter device, septic system, heating and cooling, all powered by the back and forth movement of the waves. This project can be tugged to another shore, or even on the high seas. The Hotel-Casino Nice Baie des Anges could be the new landmark for Nice and the French Riviera, or any other city by the sea or a bran new floating city.