Hotel les Thermes

Jean Nouvel – Emmanuel Cattani – Dax, France, 1990-1992

Once again, Nouvel has created contrasting fields of vision. The treatment of the uniform exterior facades is simple: they are completely glazed but discreetly hidden by wooden shutters, which are typical of the Landes region. The rooms, each with a splendid view of the river or the city, are arranged around a central atrium.

The surrounding landscape is framed in the open galleries; the pool also offers a panoramic view of the river and the opposite bank. Exotic vegetation invades the atrium, covering the glass roof of the pool. The atmospheric blue aquatic effect created by the colored glass is enhanced by neon lights along the galleries, whose technical details are highlighted. The same peaceful aquatic theme is repeated in the simply furnished rooms with their blue or white bedspreads.

Olivier Boissière (from the site http://www.jeannouvel.com/)