YC Monaco

Building Architecture

Modern and Visionary Design

a building designed by Lord Foster

Anchored at 43°44’14” North Latitude and 7°25’40” East Longitude at the Quai des Etats-Unis, this “high-tech” building, resembling a ship, is situated on the Quai Louis II. It houses the two historic nautical clubs of the Principality: the Société Nautique, dedicated to rowing, and the Yacht Club, a meeting point for shipowners and all international yachting activities. Alongside Lord Norman Foster, Jacques Grange and Nelson Wilmotte contributed their talents to the interior design of this new building.

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Interior Spaces

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Terraces

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Length of the building

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Height of the building

The Yacht Club de Monaco benefits from the prestigious signature of architect Lord Norman Foster, who enjoys international renown. With over 200 completed projects, he has received 400 awards and excellence prizes, including the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Gold Medal, the Gold Medal of the French Academy of Architecture, and the Pritzker Prize, the highest honor in the field of architecture. Norman Foster believes that architecture cannot exist without engineering.

He brings together architects and engineers from diverse backgrounds to work in close collaboration. The project was executed in partnership with Monegasque architect Alexandre Giraldi, under the supervision of the Department of Public Works. Designed to be both aesthetic and cutting-edge in technology, its construction follows a High Environmental Quality (HQE®) approach (low-impact construction, energy management, thermal comfort, acoustics, visual quality, water quality, etc.).

Lord Foster

The new premises of the Yacht Club de Monaco further enhance the international appeal of the Principality. This iconic building, designed by Foster & Partners in collaboration with the Giraldi Firm, is located on the harbor. It features tiered terraces, glass facades, and a mast on the roof. The building’s design emphasizes both aesthetic quality and sustainability in line with the HQE (High Environmental Quality) approach. The passive design of the structure carefully balances shade and natural light, and the glass facades can open to allow for natural ventilation.

Photovoltaic cells, energy-efficient LED lighting, advanced systems for managing energy, waste, and water, a hydro-cooling system that recycles harbor water, solar tubes, and electric vehicle charging stations are integrated into the project. Sustainability is considered throughout the building’s life cycle, and it incorporates locally sourced materials such as European oak terraces, insulation panels, and recycled aggregates, along with the involvement of local businesses. The Green Construction approach also helped minimize the impact of the construction work on neighboring residents.

Materials Used

Flooring of the Outdoor Terraces

High-quality exotic wood with certified origins: Elondo, sourced from FSC-certified forests (Forest Stewardship Council, for sustainable forest management). The processing and drying are done in Europe.

Interior

FSC-certified European oak for the interior flooring, with joints that replicate the look of boat decks, allowing for large surfaces while maintaining the natural movement of the wood.

Wall Cladding

The large-format panels, made of white lacquered aluminum, are designed to offer both aesthetic appeal and functionality in the interior spaces of the Yacht Club de Monaco. These panels serve as an ideal solution for wall cladding, providing a modern and clean look while also offering versatility for decoration.

Interior Ceiling

In the form of triangular slats: FSC-certified European oak with acoustic fabric.

An eco-responsible HQE approach

The new premises of the Yacht Club de Monaco further enhance the international appeal of the Principality. This iconic building, designed by Foster & Partners in collaboration with the Giraldi firm, is located on the harbor. It features tiered terraces, glass facades, and a mast on the roof. The building’s design emphasizes both aesthetic quality and sustainability, in line with the HQE (High Environmental Quality) approach. The passive design of the structure carefully balances shade and natural light, and the glass facades can open to allow for natural ventilation.

Photovoltaic cells, energy-efficient LED lighting, advanced systems for managing energy, waste, and water, a hydro-cooling system that recycles harbor water, solar tubes, and electric vehicle charging stations are integrated into the project. Sustainability is considered throughout the building’s life cycle, with the use of locally sourced materials such as European oak for the terraces, insulation panels, and recycled aggregates, along with the involvement of local businesses. The Green Construction approach also helped minimize the impact of the construction work on neighboring residents.

 
  • EGEO Certification: Aiming to provide solutions to the environmental challenges of our time, the Yacht Club de Monaco (Y.C.M.) has committed, since January 1, 2018, to ensuring that its electricity consumption is sourced from renewable energy. This initiative earned the Y.C.M. the EGEO certificate issued by SMEG (Société Monégasque d’Électricité et de Gaz) and the e+ label, which aligns with the objectives set by the Energy and Climate Plan to promote the energy transition.
  • ISO 14001 Certification: The Yacht Club has held the ISO 14001 certification since June 2016. This certification reflects a management approach that designates the club as an eco-responsible organization.
  • Collaboration with FGWRS: In partnership with FGWRS, the club has implemented a water recycling system from the pool’s filtration output, contributing to sustainability.
  • Innovative Water Recycling Solution: The Y.C.M. has developed an innovative in-house solution to recover a portion of the pool water for washing the boats of its Sports Section. This initiative could be expanded to yachts in the YCM Marina, further supporting the club’s commitment to resource conservation and sustainability.
  • National Pact for the Energy Transition, with the goal of reducing its carbon footprint. This commitment reflects the club’s dedication to supporting sustainable practices and contributing to Monaco’s climate objectives.

  • Health and Safety Measures: The club has installed temperature sensors, air purification filters, and UV Air Knight lamps. This advanced technology helps combat microbial spread by treating the air and disinfecting the building’s entire infrastructure, ensuring a safer and healthier environment for members and visitors.

  • Thalassothermy: The club utilizes a reversible air conditioning system through thalassothermy, an environmentally friendly technology that uses seawater to provide cooling and heating, reducing the overall energy consumption.

  • Solar Thermal Panels: Solar thermal panels (160 m²) have been installed on the roof of the Yacht Club and the pool. The energy generated is reinjected into the club’s network, further promoting sustainability and reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.

  • Anti-Waste Policy: As part of its commitment to sustainability, the Yacht Club has implemented a zero-waste policy, which includes the elimination of plastic cups and bottles, reducing plastic waste and encouraging more eco-friendly alternatives.