American Concret Insititut, Prize Flat work 2021
PRAC, Prix Régional d’Architecture Corse, Prix spécial, 2023


In Bastia, Corsica’s second largest city on the north-east coast, the promenade Aldilonda, which means “Above the Sea” has been achieved in 2020.
The creation of a pathway bypassing the citadel of Bastia, named Aldilonda, which literally means “Above the water,” has been the missing link in a large-scale project at the city level : Spassimare. A seaside promenade, with a concept of vacationing or even a lifestyle by the sea, the challenge for the city of Bastia is to reclaim its maritime front and to open up to the grand marine landscape, with the islands as a backdrop, the Tyrrhenian Sea, and more broadly, the Latin arch.

Indeed, the structural developments of the 20th century, such as the commercial port, the tunnel, and the port of Toga, have led to a separation between the city and its maritime front.

Anchored in the rock, Aldilonda follows the rocky coastline five meters above sea level. The rock forms the massive natural foundation of the mighty enclosing wall of Bastia’s fortress, which gave the city its name. Until now, the rocky coast beneath the fortress wall was only partially accessible.

More than a path, a destination with new perspectives on the open sea, suspended between sea and sky, Aldilonda becomes a spectacular event. The softly curved path contrasts the massive fortress and the rock on which the bastion is founded. The path nestles against the rock, leans against it, breaks through it, widens out and offers places to linger. Simultaneously, the Corten steel railing’s striking red hue not only enhances safety but also provides a captivating sense of security while overlooking the crashing waves. The bars, designed for optimal transparency, seamlessly blend with the iron-bearing rock, creating a harmonious interplay of textures and colors that complements the railing’s rustic red finish.

The design offers a captivating interaction with the sea. The path, perched above the waves, features a transparent grid floor made of stainless steel. This grid allows for an immersive experience with the sea, especially when the surf is high. As the waves crash against the rocky shore below, water surges upwards through the grating, diffusing the water’s immense force in a spectacular display. To ensure safety and structural integrity, extensive hydraulic testing was conducted in a specialized basin in La Seyne-sur-Mer. These tests were crucial to accurately assess the impact force of the waves, which can reach up to 14 tons per square meter, and to design a balcony that can withstand such powerful natural forces while providing a unique encounter with the sea.

The construction required remarkable acrobatic skills from workers, who were suspended on trapeze-like apparatus. This daring method was essential for securely anchoring the structure into the rock. Specialized drilling jigs were developed to accurately place the 25-metre-long tension cables, a task demanding precision and stability. All the companies involved in this project faced challenging conditions, with daily operations heavily influenced by unpredictable weather and the varying intensity of the sea. Their ability to adapt and work under such demanding circumstances was crucial to the successful completion of this engineering feat.


Lead Architect: Dietmar Feichtinger Architectes, mandate
Local Architect: Buzzo Spinelli Architecture
Engineers: Sbp