Located in the Euroméditerranée region, Porte Bleue features both four-star tourist residences and residential units. Designed by Pietri Architects between 2016 and 2017, the Blue Gate stands as a true gateway connecting the port, roads, and city of Marseille.
This 53-meter-high building houses two distinct sections: the first is a four-star tourist residence occupying the 11th floor, offering 250 elegantly decorated units. Amenities include an indoor swimming pool, restaurant, and reception area, creating a dedicated leisure space. The second section occupies the top seven floors, comprising 68 residential units with a total constructed area of 4,891 square meters.
The arch structure adheres to strict specifications, crafted from locally sourced concrete with minimal environmental impact in a small town near Marseille. This concrete element creates a distinctive tree-like design, becoming both a symbolic and defining feature of the project. The circular dome gracefully contours the surrounding landscape, while the 90-centimeter-deep arch plays a crucial role in shielding residents from wind and sun exposure.
La Porte Bleue boasts 50% glass surface area with operable windows that provide an exceptional quality of life. The iconic exterior wall, designed by Pietri Architects in collaboration with Atelier Masse, features 414 arches composed of various 90-centimeter-thick Y-shaped modules. These modules connect to cast beams and slabs, forming the building’s primary structural support.
The dome’s off-site prefabrication was carried out at Méditerranée Préfabrication, a local Mediterranean company. The architects maintained rigorous standards for the concrete’s quality and color, seeking a material that is durable, wear-resistant, and visually appealing—an ongoing challenge in the project.
The Blue Gate is fully committed to sustainability. Similar to Jean Nouvel’s Tour La Marseillaise, it is connected to the “Thassalia” facility, which harnesses ocean geothermal energy for heating and cooling, representing cutting-edge clean energy technology.
The architectural concept, envisioned by Jean Baptiste Pietri, embodies Marseille’s tradition of romantic rationalism.
The design of the Blue Gate draws inspiration from various sources. Some are explicit, such as the arch of the Palace of Italian Civilization in Rome and the arch of the Major’s Palace in Marseille, which was restored by Pietri Architects. Other influences come from Mediterranean coastal architecture, like the Amalfi Coast.
The building’s exterior walls capture Marseille’s unique light, with concrete surfaces reflecting varying degrees of brightness throughout the day. The dome’s white color serves as a signature of Pietri Architects, inspired by Mediterranean hues and limestone. White is a recurring theme in the firm’s projects, including the Bains de Mer Chauds, which features a strong seaside style and environmental sensitivity.
Project Drawings
△ General Layout Plan
△ Plan View
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
Schematic Diagram of Detailed Structure
△ Analysis Chart
Project Information
Architect: Pietri Architects
Area: 13,000 m²
Project Year: 2023
Photographers: Lisa Ricciotti, Luc Boegly, Pierre Louis Leclercq
Manufacturers: Schüco, BUGAL, CLAREO, JACOB DELAFON, Kone, MALERBA, NORD INOX, Saint-Gobain, Scrigno, VitrA
Principal Architects: Jean Baptiste Pietri, Jérémy Louette, Marine de Chateauneuf, Zoé Reynaud
Collaborative Architects: Jérémy Louette, Zoé Reynaud, Marine de Chateauneuf
Team Architects: Julie Mazière, Clémence Goix, Aurianne Bonnault
Graphic Designer: Marie Philippe
Owner: Constructa – Les Editeurs Urbains
Technical Engineer: BET Yves Garnier
Structural Engineer: Atelier Masse
Location: Marseille, France
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