Saint-Nazaire is located in the estuary of the Loire River, off the Atlantic coast. The bunker in question was built by the Germans in 1941-1943, during the occupation of France by the Nazi troops. This huge structure has dimensions of 295 by 130 m, and the height - in different areas from 15 to 19 m. It is built of reinforced concrete, the ceiling height of the interior is from 4 to 9 m, inside its space is divided into 14 chambers for parking submarines, the so-called "alveoli". Therefore, the center of contemporary art that opened there is called "Alveola 14", since half of its premises are located in the former extreme dock of the bunker.
The authors of the project are the architects of the LIN studio (Paris - Berlin) Finn Geipel and Giulia Andi. The harsh, impressive image of the bunker is complemented by a minimal amount of detail.
The center consists of two subdivisions: a gallery of new forms of art "LiFE" and a hall for concerts of contemporary music "VIP".
LiFE is located in the former 14th submarine dock, its space is connected to the port from the outside by a folding door that can be removed if the artist's intention requires it.
"VIP" is a space for 600 spectators, occupying several auxiliary rooms of the bunker. A frame made of steel structures has been erected along its perimeter. It houses a bar, boxes and the center's music library.
The various parts of Alveola 14 are connected by a main corridor where the rails were previously laid. Instead, a "light carpet" is installed on its floor.
A staircase leads from there to the roof of the bunker. There is an old radar dome from Berlin-Tempelhof Airport, which houses a studio for the development of projects in the field of contemporary art and avant-garde music.
