Coldefy & Associates Architects Urban Planners appointed to Design Tropicalia, the World’s Biggest Tropical Greenhouse Under One Roof.

Architect: Coldefy & Associates Architects Urban Planners

Client: Opale Tropical Concept

Location: Côte d’Opale, France

Status: In progress

Surface area: 20,000sqm

On Thursday 22 March, Thomas Coldefy along with Daniel Fasquelle – Deputy of the 4th district, Bruno Cousein – Mayor of Berck-sur Mer and vet Dr. Cédric Guérin – President and founder of the project, unveiled Tropicalia: the world’s biggest tropical greenhouse under one roof.

Located in Rang-du-Fliers – in Pas-de-Calais – Tropicalia will offer visitors immediate wonder and a total change of scenery. Offering immersion in a unique environment, it will have a footpath covering over 1 km passing through the environment of dozens of animal, tree and flower species. This architectural feat, respectful of the environment, offers an exceptional oasis for tropical flora and fauna.

Tropicalia was designed by Coldefy & Associates as a ‘harmonious haven’ seamlessly integrated into the local environment, with an original innovation: the project is self-sufficient – producing energy through the use of a double dome creating a room in which the air heated through a greenhouse effect. The absence of bearing posts and the presence of a peripheral green wall enhance this cocoon-like atmosphere. The architecture blends in with the scenery: the building is set partially in the ground, thus partially lowering its height and impact. Tropicalia appears to rise like a small hill within the landscape.

This is a project financed mainly by private investors. Tropicalia is part of the economic and touristic drive in the Côte d’Opale. A place for discovery and life, the complex offers a number of services around the greenhouse: restaurants, shops, guesthouses, as well as a scientific space exclusively for professionals.

Construction on the Tropicalia site should begin in the 1st semester of 2019 for opening in 2021. Over time, it is expected that annually, 500,000 visitors will visit the unique complex designed by Coldefy & Associés.