February 10, 2004

Rendering Courtesy Shigeru Ban Architects

The Tokyo firm Shigeru Ban Architects in association with Jean de Gastines of Paris and Gumuchdjian Architects of London has won the design competition to build the new Euro Pompidou Centre in the city of Metz 3 1/2 hours east of Paris. Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the opening of the Pompidou Centre in Paris, the new facility is scheduled to open in 2007.

A large pavilion set within a new park, the museum consists of both permanent and temporary exhibition space. Measuring 100 m by 15 m apiece, three climate-controlled, steel truss tubes will house the permanent collection. They will be oriented to frame views of the city’s historic monuments such as its train station and cathedral. Beneath the tubes is the forum for temporary exhibitions. A vast indoor-outdoor space, the entire forum is encased with movable glass shutters that can close it off from or open it to the surrounding garden. Mammoth curtains will cut the light as needed. Inspired by a woven bamboo Chinese hat, a giant, hexagonal umbrella made of woven steel and plywood protected by a translucent membrane on top will cover the entire complex. "In the summer we take off clothes. In the winter we wear more," says Ban. "I want to design space that can be changed depending on the climate or occasion."

Naomi Pollock

ADVERTISEMENT