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The reconversion of Keroman headland is mainly a question of protecting and putting to its full advantage the unique and exceptional heritage of this almost intact site, of very low urban density, set in the heart of a quality landscape. The headland, characterised by the presence of 3 bunkers and surrounded by activity areas which already have their own raison d'être, such as the fishing port, the Haliopark, is easily accessible by road, by rail and by waterways crossing the roadstead. A maximum of the ground surface must therefore be reserved for the future park and at the same time a strategic place must be sought to locate the new constructions which will give new life, image and meaning to the site.
This strategic place is found in the wide strip of land which in the past separated the Submarine Base from the fishing port, but which today could act as an interface between the port and the new park. This former zone of separation would become a place of integration. We therefore propose placing an axis there to link the Submarine Base roundabout with the extremity of Keroman headland, equipped with roads and footpaths, as well as new constructions.
We propose installing a footbridge the whole length of this axis which, with a gentle 4% slope, will bring visitors up from ground level to a panoramic platform, 20m higher, offering an unobstructed view of the Lorient roadstead and also offering previously unexplored views of the park and the port along the way.
It is on this axis that we propose building most of the new structures, leaving the rest of the ground free. These new constructions which would like to be a luminous reflection of the bunkers are in the form of long thin blades, of 7 stories and of a depth of 10m, the glazed facades of which give on to the port, that is towards the north-east, without being exposed to excessive sunshine. These blades should highlight the sculptural form of the bunkers with which they create a << dialogue >> through their proximity, orientation, number, scale, form and contrast of materials. They house the different functions of the programme, which are sometimes complementary to the activities within the bunkers themselves, sometimes independent. Vertical communication centres, integrated in the gable of each blade allow access from the ground to the footbridge, the bunker roofs and the various levels of the blades themselves. An isolated blade, situated close to the access roundabout serves as reception area and entry signal. In future phases of the planning it will house the train terminus connecting the Keroman park with the Lorient railway station. From here, an internal site line served by a little tramway, also realisable on the medium or long term, could bring visitors as far as Keroman headland.
The south-west facing bank of the Ter, with its views of the roadstead and the wooded coastline of Larmor-Plage, is an ideal natural walking spot. A wide promenade for pedestrians is thus proposed along this bank. Its alignment is doubled by a mooring pontoon for museum-boats, racing boats and other types of ship exhibited, on sale or for rent, and emphasised by a triple row of trimmed trees. It is bordered by a rhythmic series of small isolated pavilions, on two levels, for the use of the commercial infrastructure - shops, cafes, small restaurants or agencies selling and renting boats. The promenade continues towards the north-west as a road which ends at the rue François Toullec and which serves the Tabarly academy building, situated on a panoramic spot. The Espace Taberly thus dominates the mouth of the Ter, remains close to the water and the moored boats and testifies, like a solitary memorial, to the heroic fate of this great navigator.
The space between bunkers K1 and K3, open to the << two water mirrors >>, that of the port basin and that of the Ter, and dominated by the severe architecture of the bunkers, becomes the natural meeting point for the two promenades, that of the Ter bank and that of the port, crossed by the high viaduct of the footbridge.
The park, protected from the violent winds thanks to Larmor-Place which acts as a screen, will link the proximity to the sea with the presence of continental vegetation, and so become << a marine park >> the vegetal and mineral surfaces of which, in this exceptional setting, could accommodate, under temporary marquees, all sorts of leisure activities - individual or group - as well as shows, trade fairs or other events. A car park is provided for 356 cars under the shade of the trees.
The bunkers will remain functionally different. Block K1, thanks to its slipway and the easy connection with the future mooring pontoon, is intended to be used for the maintenance and renovation of boats. To this end, the rehabilitation of the slipway is planned. One of the cells, accommodating the submarine << Flore >>, is reconverted into a museum space. On the roof of Block K1 a car park for 639 cars is planned, serving Keroman headland and the fishing port. Block K2 already functions as an industrial building. Its roof has been grassed over and has tennis courts and games for the use also of the tenants of the nearby appartments. Block K3, which occupies a privileged place on Keroman headland and whose chambers, open directly onto the roadstead, offer a very special typology. This bunker accommodates the various amusement and educational facilities and services or relations with site visitors, as well as a jetty.
The project proposes keeping the fishing port with its present industrial
qualities and thus facilitating its continued development. The axis equipped
with facilities will stimulate this development by giving it a structuring
reference for its constructions and at the same time providing new spaces
inside the blades for harbour companies.