The former École Nationale de la Marine Marchande (the French merchant marine academy) stands in a breathtaking location atop the cliffs of the Cap de la Hève, a wild and geologically unique promontory on the Cauchois coast. The site overlooks the sea, the unobstructed horizon stretching out before it.

Our transformation of the site aims to accomplish two goals: create a stunning environment around the site’s new building complex, and ease the transition from the cape’s vast, wild landscape to the Sainte-Adresse cityscape. To do so, we completely redesign the site, using vegetation as a connecting element to breathe coherence and unity into the space. We envisage the site as one large, living landscape, housing a public park, a private residential park, and an urban green space.

Most importantly, our use of varying surface levels ensures that the project resembles its natural surroundings. The resulting dune-like landscape undulates with gentle hills, forming a series of planted spaces that punctuates the network of paths crisscrossing the site. A tapestry of meadows blankets the site with a simple yet rich pattern of sedum, perennials, grasses, and shrubbery, echoing the hardy vegetation of coastal environments.

Planting composition was thoughtfully designed in harmony with the site’s unique soil conditions, taking into account both functional and aesthetic considerations. Native species and non-native species perfectly suited to the environment were carefully chosen to create a lush and perennial new landscape.

A protective wooded canopy borders the site, counteracting the cape’s exposure to wind and storms. The vibrant assortment of trees and large shrubs, both deciduous and evergreen, forms a welcoming environment.

Inside the wooded borders, large groves of trees dot the site. Composed mainly of sculptural evergreen species like Austrian pines and holly oaks, these groves shape the space and frame views out to the horizon.