Project Name: Mareterra Monaco Complex

Location: Monaco

Design Team: Valode & Pistre

Total Floor Area: 60000 m²

Completion: 2024

Photography: Philippe Chancel, Hufton+Crow, Loïc Thébaud

Feature:

Project - Valode & Pistre has completed their landmark project - Mareterra Complex in Monaco, reinterpreting the concept of land reclamation through innovative architectural approaches. This 6-hectare development serves both as a residential district and a thoughtfully crafted urban extension that appears completely natural despite its artificial origins.

The project's most distinctive feature is its technical achievement: 18 reinforced concrete caissons, each 30 meters high and weighing 10,000 tons, form a protective barrier that follows the natural -30 meter isobath. This engineering solution maintains critical water circulation patterns while creating a stable foundation in a seismically active region, demonstrating how infrastructure can respect natural systems.

The spatial layout is carefully orchestrated, centered around an artificial hill densely planted with mature stone pines that creates a visual anchor and natural transition. The design creates a harmonious flow through tiered programming: waterfront villas reminiscent of traditional Riviera settlements, apartment buildings rising in tiers to maximize sea views, and a southern marina section activated by restaurants and retail spaces.

The project's uniqueness lies in its pedestrian-focused approach, transforming what could have been an exclusive enclave into a genuine urban district. Through extensive public spaces including a waterfront promenade, central plaza, and lush parkland, the designers have created a space that seamlessly integrates with Monaco's existing urban fabric. The crown jewel is Renzo Piano's apartment building standing on piles above the water, creating a dramatic dialogue between architecture and sea that embodies the project's commitment to innovation and harmony.

Design Team - Founded in 1980 by Denis Valode and Jean Pistre, Valode & Pistre has evolved into a leading international architecture firm known for its comprehensive approach to design. Based in Paris with a subsidiary in Beijing, the practice is now led by the founding partners alongside seven associates, executing projects across France and globally throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Central America.

The firm employs a holistic methodology that integrates multiple disciplines under one roof: architecture, urban planning, interior design, BIM management (VP BIM), construction oversight (VPX), façade engineering (VP&Green), and environmental consultancy (Espace Temps). This integrated structure allows Valode & Pistre to maintain exceptional quality control across diverse typologies.

Their design philosophy emphasizes that "each project is enriched by its setting and places people at the heart of architectural design." The team is committed to transferring innovations between sectors while prioritizing quality of life considerations, approaching each project with fresh perspective while drawing on deep expertise.

The firm's founders have received numerous accolades. Denis Valode received his Architect's Diploma from the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux Arts in 1969, was awarded the Académie d'Architecture Silver Medal in 1988, and the Gold Medal in 1999 jointly with Jean Pistre. Jean Pistre received his architectural diploma in 1974, shares many of the same honors, and in 2011 was appointed President of the Urban Council of the Skolkovo Foundation, overseeing a major international science center project near Moscow.

Throughout their four-decade practice, Valode & Pistre has consistently viewed international experience as an opportunity to master cutting-edge design tools and the highest environmental quality standards, cementing their reputation as thoughtful creators of contextually responsive architecture that enhances the human experience.