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Docks Dombasles by Hamonic + Masson
French architects Hamonic + Masson have completed an office and residential building in Le Havre, France, with metal bars across the facade.
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Called Docks Dombasles, the project consists of five volumes with pitched-roofs.
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These are arranged side-by-side in line with an existing brick warehouse building of similar shape, which houses the offices.
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Balconies shaded by brises-soleils are divided by white fabric screens.
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The ground floor is elevated above street level and wrapped in green glass panels.
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Photographs are by Hervé Abbadie.
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Here's some text from the architects:
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Harmonic et Masson's mixed-use office and housing building is part of an initiative to preserve and reuse the industrial heritage of the southern quarters of Le Havre, France.
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Through its scale, rhythm shape and materials, the project forms an integral part of a re-envisioned harbour landscape, creating the transition between a domestic scale and the greater harbour landscape.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/12/dzn_The-Docks-Domasle-by-Harmonic-+-Masson23.jpg)
A 19th century brick warehouse, or aveole, was conserved and incorporated into the project to house the office space required in the programme.
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The warehouse's silhouette and scale subsequently inspired the repetitive module that was used for the housing portion of the project.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/12/dzn_The-Docks-Domasle-by-Harmonic-+-Masson02.jpg)
The use of modules allowed for a prefabricated construction system, both for the concrete structure and the metal facade.
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The southern, dockside, elevation comprises of a pattern of metal balustrades and sun-shading devices that refer to the character of the site: galvanised metal, grey fabric blinds that help enliven the facade and white fabric privacy schemes.
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The apartments are all double orientated with living spaces and large balconies facing south towards the water and services facing the north.
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The entire building is lifted a half-floor above the quay to clearly define the limit between public and private space and to liberate the ground space for naturally ventilated parking and garden.
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This half-floor is enclosed by a pattern of perforated metal sheeting and green glass panels, graphically referring to the vegetation found in the neighbouring park and urban space, designed by Obras architects.
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The project includes both private and public housing.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/12/dzn_The-Docks-Domasle-by-Harmonic-+-Masson15.jpg)
Programme: 25 apartments, offices, parking
Winner of the Prix de l'esthetique immbiliere - pyramids d or 2008
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Client: Investor Immobilier
Architecture team: Harmonic + Mason
Structural engineer: Prim'Inter
Hydraulic engineer: EGCL
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Competition won: 2005
Competition for: april 2009
SHON (floor area): 3024m2
Cost: 3.2 million Euros HT
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