The restoration of Georges Clemenceau’s house

In 2010, Storm Xynthia caused severe damage to the visitor centre and garden at the Georges Clemenceau House, a property managed by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux. The subsequent structural survey revealed major structural defects, leading to the building’s evacuation and shoring up in 2012. As a conventional refurbishment proved too costly and unsuitable for the building’s functional requirements, the CMN opted for demolition and complete reconstruction. The project was entrusted to the young architectural practice Titan, in partnership with the Jeunes Architectes et Paysagistes Ligériens, to design a new 125 m² facility (completed in 2017 on a budget of €500,000).

This new building won the 2019 Béton Pro Award and the2019 AMO Prize in the category for the most daring implementation.

In order to preserve the integrity of the listed site, the State required this contemporary reconstruction to comply strictly with the regulatory framework for the coastline through three key requirements:

• Preservation of the original footprint: the project faithfully replicates the location and dimensions of the former pavilion.
• Retention of glazed areas: the number of original windows has been retained, but their layout has been optimised (the shop acts as a focal point towards the forecourt, whilst the visitor centre opens out onto the garden).
• Prevention of flooding risks: in accordance with the Marine Flood Risk Prevention Plan (PPRL), the floor has been raised by 0.70 metres to cope with future maritime threats.

To harmonise contemporary architecture with the rugged simplicity of the coastal landscape, Titan Architects employed highly specialised masonry and structural techniques.

The double concrete envelope technique

The construction system is based on a major technical innovation: a double-skin structure. The building comprises an inner structural shell, a waterproofing and insulation layer, followed by an external concrete cladding. This configuration gives the pavilion the strength to withstand the impact of a breaking wave.

Experimental work on coloured and layered concrete

On the exterior, an experimental project carried out with the masonry firm Brunet has transformed the concrete into a textured monolith that mimics the surrounding natural environment:

• The public nave features smooth, uniform concrete in a ‘dune-coloured’ shade (a mixture of sand and soft ochre).
• The private areas, cast in successive, manual layers, create distinct and irregular strata reminiscent of the bands of sand shaped by the tides.
• On-sitesandblasting tests enabled a colour gradient to be achieved, fading from darkest to lightest as the building rises towards the sky, deliberately embracing the exposed surfaces and irregularities in the material.

Reinforced joinery and interior fit-out

For the creation of the openings, precision work carried out in collaboration with Gaillard resulted in the design of reinforced steel joinery capable of withstanding the maritime climate whilst maintaining the slender profile of the mullions. Inside, the starkness of the smooth, light-grey concrete is softened by solid oak flooring and minimalist wooden furniture, bespoke-designed by the Atelier du Bocage.

The mandatory 0.70-metre height increase required a comprehensive reorganisation of access routes to harmoniously integrate the building into its historical and urban context:

• Town side: In collaboration with the local council, a former communal toilet block was demolished. A new, functional access ramp was constructed to streamline deliveries and service access without intersecting with pedestrian traffic on the forecourt.
• Garden side: The landscape architects from the Paula agency and the firm CAJEV redesigned the transition to the listed garden. The plant scheme was simplified to favour a canopy of local trees (pines and holm oaks), and the layout of the paths was redesigned to mitigate the impact of the slopes, creating a gentle transition and a clearer route towards Clemenceau’s historic residence.