On the Basque coast at the Franco-Spanish border, local residents commissioned architects to develop a project aimed at highlighting the pressing issues of ocean conservation.
The Bay of Txingudi is significantly affected by climate change, experiencing erosion, progressive silting and regular flooding.
Pièce d’océan emerged from the initiative of a group of local residents on either side of the Franco-Spanish border who wanted to raise awareness of the challenges of ocean conservation. The commissioners envisioned an artwork that would generate a positive momentum, provoke a shift in perspective, evoke emotion and initiate a change in attitudes to ecological issues.
The architectural firm MBL Architectes, founded by Sébastien Martinez-Barat and Benjamin Lafore, was chosen to carry out this commission. The firm partnered with engineers from Géocorail® to create a micro-architecture constructed through underwater sedimentation, harnessing the unique geological features of the Basque coast. They explored the use of a form of natural “concrete” formed by a chemical reaction in the ocean, applied to a submerged metal grid and electrified with a very low-voltage current. Within a few months, a natural “concrete” formed, exhibiting strength comparable to reinforced concrete. Once removed from the water, this sculpture installed in the bay stands as evidence of a harmonious coexistence between coastal towns and the ocean.
In July 2022, a metal framework was buried by MBL Architectes at Châtelaillon-Plage. It was unearthed and unveiled on 27 May 2024 in the presence of the architects and the commissioners and was subsequently named “Pièce d’océan”.
