The old port, in an elongated bay, is the historic heart of Marseille. For centuries it was an important centre of trade. Today countless yachts and excursion boats are anchored here, surrounded by the apartment buildings and restaurants of the historic centre that were long separated from the port basin by a multi-lane street.
One of the most prominent public works projects featured within the framework of the European Capital of Culture 2013 involved making the district better accessible to the public and redesigning the esplanade for pedestrians. The design is the work of Foster?+?Partners and the landscape architect Michel Desvigne.
The port zone, which covers an area of 100,0000 m2, is now also the site of performances and events. The pavilion, situated on the eastern edge of the port basin, seems to float above the ground plane. Its 46 ? 22 m roof shields visitors from the sun and rain. But the structure is also a fascinating folly.
Clad in stainless steel with a super-mirror polish, the underside reflects the activities beneath it and intensifies the ever-changing quality of light. Eight hollow steel section columns support a framework of primary beams; set within that framework are secondary beams reminiscent of the frames used in boat construction. With a diameter of only 27 cm at a height of 6 m, the columns seem delicate, but they withstand the northwesterly wind known as the Mistral.
One of the most prominent public works projects featured within the framework of the European Capital of Culture 2013 involved making the district better accessible to the public and redesigning the esplanade for pedestrians. The design is the work of Foster?+?Partners and the landscape architect Michel Desvigne.
The port zone, which covers an area of 100,0000 m2, is now also the site of performances and events. The pavilion, situated on the eastern edge of the port basin, seems to float above the ground plane. Its 46 ? 22 m roof shields visitors from the sun and rain. But the structure is also a fascinating folly.
Clad in stainless steel with a super-mirror polish, the underside reflects the activities beneath it and intensifies the ever-changing quality of light. Eight hollow steel section columns support a framework of primary beams; set within that framework are secondary beams reminiscent of the frames used in boat construction. With a diameter of only 27 cm at a height of 6 m, the columns seem delicate, but they withstand the northwesterly wind known as the Mistral.