BIG will erect a large 11,500 m² building on a spacious plot that connects the city with the riverbank, creating a new skyline for the city.
The building will be constructed with a wooden structure and facades, inspired by the Rouen tradition of half-timbered houses. The shape of the photovoltaic roofs resembles a set of sails, evoking its maritime history.
As it blends into the city's urban fabric, the roof projects toward a public esplanade with paving made of local stone and a landscaped treatment characterized by different groups of trees, creating a green transition area that softens the natural connection between the center and the river. Rainwater collected from the roof irrigates the vegetation, while paths connect the site with its surroundings and guide visitors to the entrances.
"The Sail" Rouen Congress center by BIG. Rendering by Atchain.
"The Sail" Rouen Congress center by BIG. Rendering by Atchain.
The impressive roof of The Sail creates a new profile parallel to the Seine, offering a new silhouette for Rouen, which presents itself as a tribute to the city's naval tradition and its historic spired skyline. The building welcomes visitors from the highway with a vertical facade, while from the city side, the roof creates canopies that extend the lobby into a human-scale public landscape. Constructed from massive timber, the building is both a low-impact infrastructure and a cultural center that will offer an inclusive space full of possibilities and activities.
"The Sail" Rouen Congress center by BIG. Rendering by Atchain.
The interior, designed to optimize the entry of natural light, features a spacious lobby that functions as the building's central plaza. A grand staircase connects the lobby to the main auditorium, while the overlapping levels create visual connections between the different program areas.
The Sail has been designed to obtain Passivhaus certification for highly energy-efficient buildings.
