heliotropic brick-clad pavilion by guillaume aubry chases the sun's movement in monaco

Guillaume Aubry’s pavilion tracks the movements of the sun

Guillaume Aubry unveils Regulus, a heliotropic pavilion set in the garden of Villa Paloma, one of the two buildings that make up the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco (NMNM). The pavilion is designed to mirror and extend the garden’s historic pathways and open spaces. Facing south, Regulus tracks the sun’s movement throughout the day, creating a dynamic interaction with its surroundings. At the heart of the pavilion, a solar oven captures sunlight to heat, cook, and prepare beverages and snacks. A large counter, constructed from solid bricks arranged in a geometric pattern, completes the structure. Regulus is a versatile space that functions as a café, cocktail bar, and gathering spot, without being limited to any single purpose.

all images by Florent Matei, courtesy of NMNM, unless stated otherwise

Regulus aligns with Monaco’s art museum VilLA Paloma HISTORY

NMNM invited artist and architect Guillaume Aubry to undertake a residency within a school environment. During this time, the French designer was working on a thesis focused on sunsets, the world’s most photographed subject. For his residency, Aubry was tasked with designing a folly for the Villa Paloma garden. This folly, Regulus, aligns with the historical design of the Villa Paloma’s garden, originally laid out in 1913 by landscape architect Octave Godard, a student of Édouard André. Atelier Thomas Serruys crafted the furniture used in the pavilion, completing its design.

Guillaume Aubry unveils Regulus, a heliotropic pavilion

the pavilion mirrors and extends the garden‘s historic layout of pathways and open spaces

furniture by Atelier Thomas Serruys adorns the pavilion

at its center, a solar oven captures sunlight to heat, cook, and prepare beverages

a large counter, built from solid bricks arranged in a geometric pattern, completes the structure

Regulus serves multiple functions, combining elements of a café, cocktail bar, and gathering space

image by Manuel Vital, courtesy of Direction de la Communication du Gouvernement Princier

plans of the Regulus pavilion by Guillaume Aubry

project info:

name: Regulus
designer: Guillaume Aubry | @aubry.guillaume
furniture design: Atelier Thomas Serruys | @atelierserruys
location: Nouveau Musée National de Monaco (NMNM) – Villa Paloma | @nmnmonaco, Monaco 
photographer: Florent Matei

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom