Cité de l'Océan et du Surf, Ocean and surf museum in Biarritz, France.
The Cité de l'Océan et du Surf is a museum facing Ilbarritz beach in Biarritz, designed by Steven Holl with Solange Fabião and opened in June 2011. Its two connected glass-clad volumes form a double-wave shape: a taller block with an angled top edge and a lower rectangular projection. A long white wall curves upward at one end, and a concrete roof slopes down toward the glass building.
The Cité de l'Océan et du Surf opened in Biarritz in June 2011. Its design by Steven Holl Architects with Solange Fabião won an international competition in 2005, based on the concepts "under the sky" and "under the sea". The building later received the 2011 Emirates Glass LEAF Award and the 2012 American Architecture Award.
The museum's name appears in three languages: French, Occitan (Cità de l'Ocean e del Sòrfa) and Basque (Ozeano eta Surf Hiria). Its temporary exhibitions have included "Abysses, le mystère des profondeurs", curated by Claire Nouvian and shown from 20 October 2014 to 13 September 2015.
The visit is organised over three levels: the ground floor holds most of the exhibition spaces, the first floor has the auditorium and the virtual surf installation, and the second floor holds the shop. The building stands opposite Ilbarritz beach, and the roof also shapes the public plaza, which tilts toward the ocean.
The building's curving roof doubles as the public plaza, tilted toward the horizon and the ocean; the design concept was "under the sky" and "under the sea". The scheme won the 2005 international competition judged in favour of Steven Holl Architects with Solange Fabião. The museum opened in June 2011 facing Ilbarritz beach.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,894 contributors worldwide.
