BIG WINS COMPETITION TO DESIGN NEW CONGRESS CENTER IN ROUEN, FRANCE

BIG has won the international competition to design a new congress center in Rouen, France. On the banks of the Seine, the 11,500 m² building, nicknamed ‘The Sail,’ is defined by its roofline that rises and dips above the river. The congress center is envisioned as a public meeting place that links the city to the water while hosting international events, exhibitions and community life. Commissioned by the metropolitan authority of Rouen, the center will house two auditoriums, exhibition halls, a restaurant, meeting rooms and back-of-house spaces, contributing to the city’s ambition of becoming a destination for international events. Designed in collaboration with BLP & associés, The Sail is designed to achieve Passivhaus certification for highly energy-efficient buildings.