Danish architecture studio BIG has been put in charge of the design of what will become The Sail, a conference centre connecting the French city of Rouen in Normandy with its river surroundings.
The Rouen Normandy Metropolis and Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) have unveiled the first images of The Sail, after the Danish architecture studio won a design competition launched by the city in November 2023. The building is scheduled to be completed by 2032 and is expected to cost €80 million.
“Our city has become much more attractive. Today, it lacks the facilities needed to welcome business tourism in the best possible conditions. BIG has come up with a project that combines environmental and architectural challenges with practicality, while offering a signature building on the banks of the Seine. This conference centre will be a tool for national and international influence”, the city of Rouen shared in a press statement.
Ships and classic architecture
The conference centre will be made from mass-timber and will be located on the Seine riverside, its sweeping roof shape reminiscent of ship sails. However, for the design of the building, the Danish architecture studio was not just inspired by the centre’s watery surroundings. The mass-timber structure with big windows is also meant as a modern reference to Rouen’s traditional architecture, characterised by half-timbered houses.
“Rising along the Seine, The Sail introduces a new silhouette to Rouen with its sweeping roofline paying tribute to the city’s naval heritage and historic skyline of spires. Built with mass-timber construction, daylight-optimised interiors and an energy-producing roof, it is both a low-impact infrastructure and a cultural hub, offering an inclusive space for Rouen and its visitors”, BIG partner Jakob Sand said in an interview with Dezeen.
On the banks of the Seine in Rouen, BIG and BLP & associés will design a timber congress center bridging city and river ⛵ The 11,500 m² building draws on Rouen’s maritime and architectural heritage, hosting auditoriums, exhibition halls and more.
— BIG (@BIG_Architects) October 9, 2025
📸 AT Chain & BIG pic.twitter.com/Wq4lgLrSxW
Inside the building, visitors will find a selection of spaces spread over 11,500 square meters. Aside from the light-filled foyer, there will be two auditoriums at The Sail, as well as several exhibition spaces (2,500 square meters), eight meeting rooms, and a restaurant. The highest part of the building will be located at the riverside, while the roof will gradually slope down towards the city, where a public outdoor space can be found.
BIG also added a sustainable touch to the building. While the sweeping roof structure will be covered by photovoltaic panels, the rainwater collected on The Sail will be used to irrigate the surrounding green space. The design team aims to obtain the Passivhaus certification for the conference centre, thereby setting the tone for energy-efficient public architecture in France.
