building selection & justification

Centre Georges Pompidou [the Pompidou Centre]

built 1971-1977 by architects Renzo Piano, Richard and Sue Rogers, and Gianfranco Franchini, and structural engineers Edmund Happold and Peter Rice.

Beaubourg area of the 4th arrondissement of Paris, France

[high-tech architecture]

floor area: 103,305 square meters and 7 stories high

[my photo - spring 2007]

this very modern complex houses le Musee National d'Art Moderne [the National Museum of Modern Art], le Bibliotheque publique d'information [a huge public library], and IRCAM [a center for music and acoustic research].

a very functional design that allowed room for hugh, uncluttered spaces inside by moving all the service sections [elevators, stairs, plumbing and ventilation...] to the outside of the building and color-coated

the goal was to reveal to the public how a building works

Approaching this building in person was very intimidating at first with all the exposed systems,  but still a very impressive and worth-while experience! I wish I had more time to walk through more than a couple levels. 

I love the juxtaposition of this extremely modern structure in the middle of old parisian streets!