Our approach responds to the constraints of the site by maintaining the height of surrounding buildings to complete the rhythm of the existing skyline. Six residential pavilions are included in the design – three along Avenue de Monte Carlo and two along Avenue Princesse Alice – served by two sets of vertical circulation cores. The design and location of the residential units within the pavilions take full advantage of the views across Monte Carlo and particularly the harbour. The organisation of the residential blocks is modular, rational and flexible, allowing for a wide range of apartment fit-out options. If required, each apartment can be customised specifically for its user. A unique contractable façade system based on the concept of a convertible car roof was applied to each building module's exterior allowing the interior living quarters of each apartment to open up into an external living space.
The office accommodation has been extended to nine floors in order to achieve a more expressive form.
Building on the commercial success of Avenue des Beaux-Arts which runs between Hôtel Hermitage and Place du Casino, a new, mainly pedestrian retail street will be formed through the development, creating a strong, wider axis of public realm between Avenue des Beaux-Arts and Petit Afrique. Level paving and planting along this route will attract more activity into the new retail street as well as into the Avenue des Beaux-Arts itself.
Ivan Harbour, Partner in charge of the project said "The principle urban move was to create a major new pedestrianised street lined with shops, restaurants and a public art gallery. Above the shops, the adjacent Hotel de Paris is extended with serviced apartments and offices".
The environmental design responds to the dynamics of the external environment while providing a comfortable internal environment. Demand for energy and other resources is minimised; efficient systems and controls are used to reduce consumption levels; renewable resources are employed to meet the project requirements; and highly efficient supply technologies minimise the development's environmental impact by meeting any residual demand. Heating and cooling of the residential spaces is by water-based pipework systems embedded in floors (heating) and ceilings (cooling); natural cross ventilation is via centrally located riser ducts.
The original Salle Des Arts function room from the Sport existing Sporting d'Hiver building is relocated to the basement of the new building to be used as the main space of a conference facility.
