SS Le Havre
Museum
Le Havre, France
Collaborated with Frederic Lam
2024
The port has been the lifeblood of Le Havre for centuries, driving its economy and preserving its maritime history. The SS Brise-vent Maritime Vessel Museum celebrates this legacy, drawing inspiration from the iconic SS France, a symbol of Le Havre’s Golden Age before the rise of air travel.
Designed as a monumental ship, the museum blends seamlessly into its maritime setting. Its form, reminiscent of a cruise liner, includes a circular hall and a shorter volume on the north side. A wooden pier extends like a gangway, offering elevated views. The museum features an amphitheatre for concerts and performances, adaptable for daily exhibitions. The central hall on the ground floor includes a movable wall system for flexible reconfiguration of temporary exhibitions. Sophisticated lighting and strategically placed windows create an immersive atmosphere, guiding visitors through the building like the boarding process of a cruise ship. The SS Brise-vent invites both tourists and locals to explore Le Havre’s maritime heritage through concerts, exhibitions, and performances.
Welcome aboard.