Architectural Record
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Subscribe
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Architectural Record
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • Awards
    • Interviews
    • Obituaries
    • Podcasts
      • Design:Ed Podcast
      • Sponsored Podcasts
  • OPINION
    • Book Reviews / Excerpts
    • Exhibition Reviews
    • Forum
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Videos
    • Design Vanguard
    • Top 300 Firms
    • Sponsored Content
    • Sponsored eBooks
    • From the Archives
  • CONTINUING ED
    • Editorial Continuing Ed
    • CE Center
    • CE Academies
  • PROJECTS
    • Buildings By Type
    • Reuse & Renovation
    • Museums & Arts Centers
    • Colleges & Universities
    • Multifamily Housing
    • Interiors
    • Lighting
    • Kitchen & Bath
  • HOUSES
    • Record Houses
    • House of the Month
    • Featured Houses
  • PRODUCTS
    • Products by Category
    • Record Products of the Year
    • Latest Products
  • EVENTS
    • Dates & Events
    • Record on the Road
    • Innovation Conference
    • Sustainability in Practice
    • Women In Architecture
    • Webinars
    • Ad Excellence Awards
    • Submit an Event
  • CONNECT
    • Ask RECORD AI
    • Newsletters
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Store
    • Customer Service
  • SUBMIT
    • Submission Guidelines
    • RECORD Competitions
  • MAGAZINE
    • Subscribe
    • My Account
    • Digital Edition
    • Current Issue
    • Firm Pass
    • Historic Archive
SnapshotInfrastructure & Industrial ProjectsTransportation Architecture

Snapshot: Atelier 9.81 Fashions a Jenga-Like Traffic Control Tower for France's Top Ferry Port

Calais, France

By Andrew Ayers
Capitainerie de Calais
Capitainerie de Calais. Photo © Nicolas da Silva Lucas
January 15, 2024

Architects & Firms

Atelier 9.81

Though it may seem paradoxical, the Channel Tunnel linking England and mainland Europe, which turns 30 this year, has fueled an increase in maritime traffic in the Strait of Dover, making Calais France’s No. 1 ferry port. To handle demand, as well as today’s larger ships, a new harbor opened in Calais in 2021. Rising 125 feet between the old and new ports, this traffic-control tower, by Lille-based architects Atelier 9.81, came into service in early 2023. Fragmenting their concrete structure, which is two-thirds prefabricated, into a Jenga-like pile of cantilevered boxes, the architects textured its surface with evocations of dials, nautical charts, and sedimentary rocks.

Looking for quick answers on architecture and design topics?
Try Ask RECORD, our new smart AI search tool.
Ask RECORD →

KEYWORDS: France

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Andrew ayers

Andrew Ayers is a Paris-based writer, translator, and educator.

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

Subscription Center
  • Create an Account
  • Start a Subscription
  • Manage My Account
  • Sign Up for Newsletters
  • Visit Customer Service
  • Update Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Architectural Record audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Architectural Record or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • TAMLYN XtremeTrim Exterior Trim
    Sponsored byTamlyn

    Designing Cleaner Panel Facades: Why Exterior Trim Details Matter

  • Building with Vapor Barriers
    Sponsored byReef Industries, Inc.

    Vapor Barriers Help Control Moisture in Tighter Building Designs

  • Duct Interior with Prodeq System
    Sponsored byHenry, a Carlisle Company

    Designing Resilient Water Containment Systems

DESIGN:ED Podcast
Listen to Architectural Record’s DESIGN:ED Podcast

Events

June 10, 2026

Rethinking Stormwater – The Power of Porous Paving

Credits: 1 AIA LU/HSW; 1 AIBD P-CE; 0.1 ICC CEU

Learn how porous paving systems support stormwater management, reduce heat island effects, and enhance sustainable site design performance.

June 11, 2026

Very Early Warning Fire Detection for Mission-Critical Facilities

Credits: 1 AIA LU/HSW; 1 AIBD P-CE; 0.1 ICC CEU

Examine advanced fire detection strategies that support uptime and enhance safety in data centers and other mission-critical facilities.

View All Submit An Event

Products

2026 Architect's Square Foot Costbook

2026 Architect's Square Foot Costbook

See More Products

Popular Stories

Practice Matters illustration

What’s in a (Firm’s) Name? Thinking About Succession and Legacy

Practice Matters illustration

By the Numbers: Counting America's Architects

House on a Hill

Design Vanguard 2026: Forma

Crane Cove, ONO

Design Vanguard 2026 Winners

House A on a Hill

Design Vanguard 2026: Santiago Valdivieso

Broader Sustainability of CMU - Free Webinar - May 21, 2026

Related Articles

  • 2024_columbus atct_southeast perspective_dusk.jpg

    Marlon Blackwell Architects Reveals Design for Air Traffic Control Tower in Columbus, Indiana

    See More
  • Hermès' new leather goods workshop in Normandy

    In Normandy, Lina Ghotmeh Fashions a Brick-Clad Workshop for Hermès

    See More
  • Wimbledon House LEad.jpg

    Erbar Mattes Fashions a Garden-Centric House for a London Suburb

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 0470126736.gif

    Modern Sustainable Residential Design: A Guide for Design Professionals

See More Products

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • December 8, 2025

    Designing for Acoustic Control in Commercial Interiors

    NOW ON DEMANDCredits: 1 AIA LU/HSW; 1 AIBD P-CE; 0.1 ICC CEU; 0.1 IACET CEUThis course will review the science of acoustics and discuss how door systems can play a vital role in controlling sound in commercial environments.
View AllSubmit An Event
×

The latest news and information

#1 Source for Architectural Design, News and Products

SUBSCRIBE
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Submit
    • Store
  • ACCOUNT CENTER
    • Create an Account
    • Start a Subscription
    • Manage My Account
    • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • Visit Customer Service
    • Update Preferences
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • Linkedin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing