Hôtel du Département des Bouches-du-Rhône, Administrative building in Saint-Just district, Marseille, France.
The Hôtel du Département des Bouches-du-Rhône is a futurist administrative building in the Saint-Just district that unites two main blocks connected by glass atriums. The structure, approximately 66 meters high and 152 meters long, houses offices for the presidency, council members, and public reception areas distributed across multiple levels.
The building emerged from an international architectural competition in 1989, which architects Will Alsop and Jan Störmer won against Norman Foster's firm. This competition victory marked a significant moment in reshaping Marseille's administrative landscape.
The building reflects a design approach favoring bold colors and open internal spaces, with its ultramarine blue exterior and pale green interior facades creating a distinctive visual identity. This color scheme distinguishes it from conventional administrative centers and shapes how visitors experience the interiors.
The complex offers public access through various entrances, with signage helping visitors navigate the expansive interior spaces. The multi-level structure with its atriums provides different zones for various administrative functions, so careful orientation is needed when exploring.
Suspended within the atrium is an oval-shaped structure that houses exhibition spaces and meeting rooms for plenary sessions. This floating form is a notable architectural feature that gives the building its distinctive character.
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