Changing Room and Restroom Pavilion | MAGNUM

Magnum builds low-impact coastal facility in French dune landscape
Magnum Architectes has completed a small-scale beach facility in the dunes of Brétignolles-sur-Mer, western France—designed to address seasonal tourism pressure within an ecologically protected context.

The project consolidates three key public functions—changing rooms, toilets, and waste management—into a single low-lying structure occupying a Natura 2000 zone.
The site presented multiple regulatory constraints, including ONF (National Forestry Office) oversight and strict environmental protection protocols. In response, the architects proposed a minimal, reversible structure designed to limit disturbance both during construction and operation.

Positioned at the edge of a beach access path, the timber-clad volume aligns with the landscape’s topography, using a mono-pitched roof and slender profile to minimise visual disruption.

Cladding strategies were developed in tandem with privacy, airflow, and maintenance considerations. Horizontal locally sourced timber boarding is overlaid with vertical slats that enable modular light screening, wind protection, and natural ventilation—particularly for the enclosed waste area.

The structure and interior linings (excluding tiling) are made entirely from French-sourced timber, with dry-assembled joints allowing for full dismantling and reuse. The project operates off-grid during the summer season via rooftop photovoltaic panels.

Built on a budget of €385,000 and covering 115m², the pavilion demonstrates how small civic infrastructure can deliver functional resilience and environmental accountability within stringent ecological settings.

Landskape designer: Phytolab

Photography: Juan Cardona