Pavilion B of the Fiera de Genova complex is located right next to the water and is raised to a height of less than a meter above sea level (this was the decisive factor for Nouvel's victory in the architectural competition in 2005: this solution greatly facilitates the transportation of goods in and out of the building).
Another innovation is the openness of the building to the outer space: its fully glazed walls can be removed in good weather. Thus, the only truly material part of the building is its bright blue roof. According to the architect, it will become not only a symbol of the exhibition complex, but of the whole of Genoa: it can be clearly seen from the road leading to the port and passing high above the sea. Nouvel compares it to a huge mirror that reflects clouds and sky. The roof protrudes more than 30 m forward: under this cantilever protrusion, not only a wide terrace for events is hidden, but also moored yachts.
Inside, the pavilion contains two two-level exhibition halls. The ceilings of both rooms are sheathed with mirrored metal panels: in one, their relief imitates small ripples in the water, in the other, quieter and larger waves. These panels help to better illuminate the building space by reflecting artificial light and sunlight and bringing in a seaside atmosphere.
Jean Nouvel's other maritime project - a 120-meter-high observation tower in the port of Le Havre - has now moved off the ground. In 2007, this ambitious plan was rejected by the city authorities due to its high cost - about 100 million euros. But now, when President Nicolas Sarkozy announced that he would make Le Havre a port of the French capital as part of the implementation of the "Greater Paris" program, Nouvel's work has become urgent again. Construction of its tower with an information center is expected to begin in 2013 and be completed in 2015.
