THE Architectes conceals nautical sports base under a grassy beach dune
This water-sports facilities building by THE Architectes has been built into the side of a grassy dune to minimise its visual impact on the coastline (+ slideshow).
![Nautical Base in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez by THE Architectes](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/Nautical_base_in_Saint_Hilaire_de_Riez_by_THE_architectes_dezeen_468_13.jpg)
The one-storey nautical base in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, France, was designed by Paris studio THE Architectes with a reinforced concrete structure and a turf roof that conceals the bulk of the building.
![Nautical Base in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez by THE Architectes](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/Nautical_base_in_Saint_Hilaire_de_Riez_by_THE_architectes_dezeen_468_4.jpg)
"This nautical base is situated in the midst of an exceptional landscape – next to the coast, nestled between pristine dunes, and close to a rocky cliff," said the design team.
![Nautical Base in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez by THE Architectes](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/Nautical_base_in_Saint_Hilaire_de_Riez_by_THE_architectes_dezeen_468_22.jpg)
"To install sports facilities ever so discreetly in the heart of this eco-sensitive site, it is hidden in the existing dune," they explained.
![Nautical Base in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez by THE Architectes](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/Nautical_base_in_Saint_Hilaire_de_Riez_by_THE_architectes_dezeen_468_2.jpg)
Just the north facade of the building shows above ground. Clad in planks of azobé – an African hardwood chosen for its resilience – it faces out onto a promenade and the sea beyond.
![Nautical Base in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez by THE Architectes](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/Nautical_base_in_Saint_Hilaire_de_Riez_by_THE_architectes_dezeen_468_10.jpg)
"The reception areas, offices and activity spaces are placed along this facade to take advantage of exterior views," said Juhel.
![Nautical Base in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez by THE Architectes](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/Nautical-base-in-Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez-by-THE-architectes_dezeen_468_17.jpg)
Seven sets of doors provide direct access from the seafront to a public toilet, storage spaces and reception, as well as to the separate wet and dry equipment stores and changing facilities at the back of the building.
![Nautical Base in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez by THE Architectes](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/Nautical-base-in-Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez-by-THE-architectes_dezeen_468_10.jpg)
A set of square skylights channel light into the hallways and backrooms of the building.
![Nautical Base in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez by THE Architectes](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/Nautical-base-in-Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez-by-THE-architectes_dezeen_468_9.jpg)
On the exterior, the translucent domes and timber-clad shafts of the light wells peak just above the surface of the dune.
![Nautical Base in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez by THE Architectes](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/Nautical-base-in-Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez-by-THE-architectes_dezeen_468_7.jpg)
Following the slope of the dune, the cladding connects with a low wall that borders a pathway around the perimeter.
![Nautical Base in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez by THE Architectes](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/Nautical_base_in_Saint_Hilaire_de_Riez_by_THE_architectes_dezeen_468_23.jpg)
"The exterior treatment creates continuity with the existing retaining wall elements of the dune by the use of azobé planks," added the team.
![Nautical Base in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez by THE Architectes](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/Nautical_base_in_Saint_Hilaire_de_Riez_by_THE_architectes_dezeen_468_18.jpg)
A small decking and stepped seating area attached to the western side of the building helps to blend the structure into the dune.
![Nautical Base in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez by THE Architectes](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/Nautical_base_in_Saint_Hilaire_de_Riez_by_THE_architectes_dezeen_468_11.jpg)
Subtle placement of signage on one side of the facade sees individual characters spaced plank-width apart.
![Nautical Base in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez by THE Architectes](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/Nautical-base-in-Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez-by-THE-architectes_dezeen_468_24.jpg)
Photography is by Stéphane Chalmeau.
Project credits:
Project architects: THE architects – David Juhel and Joachim Seyer
Landscape architects: Atelier Passerelle
Structural engineering consultants: Serba
Fluids engineering consultants: Picard-Joré
![Nautical Base in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez by THE Architectes](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/Nautical_base_in_Saint_Hilaire_de_Riez_by_THE_architectes_dezeen_0.gif)
![Nautical Base in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez by THE Architectes](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/Nautical_base_in_Saint_Hilaire_de_Riez_by_THE_architectes_dezeen_3.gif)