Rather than proposing cosmetic alterations to the existing structure, we propose to start from a fresh and see what kind of architecture could grow naturally from the site.
We propose to extend the Jardin Albert park across the street and into the site. Park hotel will be a hotel in and above the park - not merely next to the park.
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The park extends to connect to 3 passages reaching Masséna street and Du Paradis street. The 3 passages connect with the park creating a whole new network of streets allowing people to move freely through the site, from the city to the water.
The point where the towers merge forms a public podium for exhibitions and conferences. A restaurant extends outside to the roof of the adjacent structures, providing panoramic views on the city and the sea for its visitors.
From the sea the Park Hotel appears as if it is growing naturally from its surrounding city. Like a fold in the urban fabric, or an organic growth of concentrated city. Rather than a foreign element it appears like a natural evolution of the Nice vernacular.
Park Hotel mobilizes a range of passive strategies to reduce its carbon footprint. Apart from literally reducing its urban footprint in order to create plaza and park, we plan to integrate a series of energy saving strategies in the design of the building.
Rather than a modern glass tower, we propose a sandstone facade with openings calibrated to the thermal exposure, significantly reducing the need for cooling.
Rhinoceros; Grasshopper
Grasshopper was used to explore the facade windows display, exploring variation from the surroundings regular matrix (typical from Nice) at the base of the tower, into the tower 's upper windows display, which vary in size and placement.
More info at http://www.big.dk/projects/nice/
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