On my last trip to Paris there was a destination at the top of the list: The Centre Georges Pompidou. I’m crazy for contemporary art, and this is what might one call a “temple”.
The Centre Georges Pompidou-Paris from the entrance and courtyard.
The building, which opened in 1977 re-defined architecture and it’s relation to public buildings, especially museums. Done in an Industrial style which displayed its internal systems and structural elements, it was less about grandeur and monument and more about public interaction and accessibility. The building along with the adjoining square (Place Georges Pompidou) became a destination not only for tourists, but locals and street performers.
A Black and White shot I took in of the Center Georges Pompidou-Paris looking from Place Georges Pompidou.
The “ Musée National d'Art Moderne”, housed in the Centre Pompidou is considered one of the largest contemporary collections in Europe. The exhibitions presented over the years are a literal who’s who of contemporary art from Salvador Dali to Cy Twombly. The building also houses a national library and an acoustic research center.
An elevation view of the Centre Georges Pompidou- Paris.
A new Centre Pompidou has been planned, and began construction in 2006. The new museum will be located in Metz, France on the banks of the Seille River in the Lorraine region. The museum is a collaboration of The Centre Pompidou and the Metz Mètropole urban area, and will be located near the local TGV train station.
An artist's rendering of the new Centre Pompidou-Metz.
An architectural model of the new Centre Pompidou-Metz.
The museum’s architecture was inspired by a traditional Chinese hat. The primary form was constructed from an armature of laminated timber forming a mesh and will be coated in fiberglass. The building’s design is as stunning as the original, but for different reasons. The design of the new building speaks more to organic forms currently celebrated in popular architecture. It’s amazing that the original Pompidou could have look so “avant-garde” just 30 years ago. The building still seems fresh, but with less edge, as it has become part of the global architectural vernacular.
The museum’s architecture was inspired by a traditional Chinese hat. The primary form was constructed from an armature of laminated timber forming a mesh and will be coated in fiberglass. The building’s design is as stunning as the original, but for different reasons. The design of the new building speaks more to organic forms currently celebrated in popular architecture. It’s amazing that the original Pompidou could have look so “avant-garde” just 30 years ago. The building still seems fresh, but with less edge, as it has become part of the global architectural vernacular.
The laminated timber mesh creating the structure of the "hat".
The Centre Pompidou-Metz under construction.
The Centre Pompidou-Metz is scheduled to open in the spring of 2010, and will feature pieces from the collection of the Centre Pompidou’s Paris. The new museum’s inaugural exhibition, devoted to masterpieces will feature works by Henri Matisse, Man Ray and Jean Prouvè.
A rendering of the interior space near the center of the "hat".
This destination has now jumped to the top of my list for my return to Europe! I’m eager to see the Pompidou’s next generation first hand.
David Hansen
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2 comments:
Clearly, the building is still in the design phase, but you can already see the amazing architectural layout.
Nicolette
http://www.furnitureanddesignideas.com/
Hello ,,
I am an architectural student and I have to do a model of the project,,
would you happen to know,, the real dimensions of the project ??
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