The 4th year Interior Architecture students work on the fishing pontoons in Palavas-les-Flots

The pontoons of Palavas: between tradition and modernity

For the 2nd year running, ESMA’s Professional Interior Design Cycle students have been working on an ambitious project: the redevelopment of Palavas-les-Flots’ fishing pontoons on the banks of the River Lez. These pontoons are at the very heart of life in the seaside town, welcoming the local population on a daily basis and playing a vital role in preserving the authentic atmosphere of the fishermen’s stalls returning from the sea. As a meeting place and a place to socialise, they symbolise the very essence of local identity and commercial activity.

It was against this extremely rich backdrop of real socio-economic challenges that the students were able to deploy their expertise. The aim? To make their proposals part of a political desire to modernise and embellish, while at the same time promoting local tradition, the fishing industry and its key players. A complex challenge, in which tradition and modernity had to coexist in harmony.

The students went out to meet the various stakeholders (politicians and fishermen) in order to gain a better understanding of the issues at stake, get a feel for their expectations and come up with relevant concepts. It was a rich experience, forging valuable links, deepening understanding of local needs and stimulating collective creativity.

Aesthetically pleasing renderings

The proposals, whose models were exhibited at the Palavas Tourist Office, attracted a great deal of interest. Among the projects presented to the councillors was one by Clément De Cressac, L’Ondulation, whose aesthetic “is based on the movements of the sea and its random propagation, thus enabling an innovative functionality to be put in place, harmoniously integrated into a chestnut structure” and reminiscent of the curves drawn by the swell.

The Pont’eco project, supported by Mathilde Delorme, proposes the use of recycled maritime containers – eco-cargoes – which offer economic, structural and environmental advantages (“the project’s panelling is made from recycled pallet wood, adding an ecological and aesthetic dimension”).

Enfin, un autre exemple parmi les projets proposés, celui d’Ignace Quang Tri Huynh, Harmonie Evolutive, qui a envisagé l’usage des essences de bois typiques de la région pour la création d’un ponton, qui serait un témoin tangible “de la richesse et de la diversité naturelle de l’Hérault. Chaque planche, chaque poutre raconterait l’histoire des forêts locales, véhiculant ainsi un sentiment de connexion profonde avec le territoire.” Dans cette déclinaison, le jeune homme a fait le choix d’une esthétique “moderne, caractérisée par des lignes épurées et des éléments architecturaux innovants.”

Finally, another example among the projects proposed is that of Ignace Quang Tri Huynh, Harmonie Evolutive, who envisaged the use of wood species typical of the region for the creation of a pontoon, which would be a tangible witness “to the richness and natural diversity of the Hérault. Each plank, each beam would tell the story of the local forests, conveying a sense of deep connection with the area.’ In this version, the young man has chosen a ‘modern aesthetic, characterised by clean lines and innovative architectural elements”.

A big well done to them, and a huge thank you to the mayor of Palavas-les-Flots, Christian Jeanjean, as well as to his elected representatives and the local players who gave our students a fantastic opportunity to put their skills to work on a practical, local project.

Final results

Julie Gohier – La Cahute Palavasienne

Margaux Kamel – L’Enveloppe

Valentine Perchais – Lignes Palavasiennes

Océane Rodriguez – Le Triangul’Air

Lucie Desmoulins – Enantios

Manon Fontaine – La Cabane

Amélie Nicole – La Dorsale

Mathilde Delorme – Pont’éco

Lucie Quenault – L’Envolée

Nicolas Rous – La Peau

Romain Tison – L’Héritage

Valentin Libes – Bayo IV

Ignace Quang Tri Huynh – Harmonie Evolutive

Selma Amziane – A Travers