Moreau Kusunoki and Frida Escobedo
The closure of Centre Pompidou to the public was announced more than a year ago. The reason for the museum's scheduled five-year hiatus from 2025 is the need for a major renovation of the postmodern icon. In a building designed in the high-tech trend, paradoxically, the technology exposed on the façade, which had been severely corroded since 1977, began to fail. Recently, the authors of the winning project - the Paris office {tag:pracownie} in collaboration with the studio of Mexican architect Frida Escobedo - announced details of the plan for the architectural intervention. The entire work will cost 262 million euros.
reasons for the renovation of the Centre Pompidou in Paris
Awareness of the environmental impact of building materials has improved significantly since the construction of the Centre Georges Pompidou, which opened in 1977. The structure's facade still contains asbestos, and fire safety solutions also do not grow up to modern standards. Technical problems caused the authorities of the Center to think comprehensively about its reconstruction, as a result of which the renovation plan included the expansion of the museum's content offer. Six architectural studios from around the world were invited to the final round of the international competition, among which the jury selected the winning design by Moreau Kusunoki and Frida Escobedo Studio. Their proposal envisions adapting the building to meet the needs of modern users while maintaining respect for the original form of Renz Piano and Richard Rogers.
Moreau Kusunoki architects about their project
This is not the first time we have addressed the importance and role of the museum in the 21st century. Our proposal is strongly influenced by the Japanese concept of mâ, according to which intermediate spaces create a place where life and meaning can develop and naturally emerge between established boundaries. Since its inception, Centre Pompidou has been a space of experimentation that constantly redefines itself to remain a source of inspiration for those around it. We want to seize the opportunity to strengthen this culture-forming role and create a museum that is even more strongly inscribed and open to the city. Our project establishes a dialogue with the existing architecture through its ability to adaptively respect the original structure. The visual and physical porosity and the clarification of different user paths encourage users to reactivate and redefine existing spaces. Our ambition was to provide visitors with a greater sense of subjectivity, to create a center that prioritizes the values for which it was created: human interaction and bodily experience.
A mind map surrounding Centre Pompidou, developed by Moreau Kusunoki's office
© Moreau Kusunoki
The Paris-based office boasts an award-winning design for the Paul-Henri Spaak building in the European Parliament and a victory in the architectural competition to design the Guggenheim Museum in Helsinki. On the occasion of the renovation of the Centre Pompidou, the architects entered into a collaboration with Frida Escobedo.
I am delighted that our studio has been entrusted with the extraordinary responsibility of working with Moreau Kusunoki. Together, we will undertake the task of transforming the Center for present and future conditions. Our architectural design serves the larger goal of enabling Centre Pompidou to continue its tradition of constant self-discovery.
The artistic infrastructure of Paris
An important principle of the overall project is to nestle Centre Pompidou more firmly into the urban fabric. Terraces will be erected in front of the museum's entrance to provide a place for street artists and performers. The annex that currently houses the Atelier Brâncuși will undergo a complete remodeling. It will be the site of the Kandinsky Library integrated with a research center. The restructuring will take place through the vertical of the building by reorganizing the floors and horizontally, thanks to a new connection between the building and the square. The sculptor's studio will be relocated to new exhibition spaces inside the museum. The Centre Pompidou's cultural renovation plan includes cinema and theater rooms, which will be located in the gallery's basement, expanded at the expense of the former coach parking lot.
Centre Pompidou axonometry after renovation (first floor and mezzanine).
© Moreau Kusunoki
Audience development through architecture - the example of Centre Pompidou
Visitor movement paths will be more intuitive. The entrance to the famous escalators on the façade will be moved away from the main entrance. In this way, an area near the reception desk - the Forum - and a lower level called the Agora will form a central, easy-to-navigate focus for gallery traffic. A grandstand-shaped mezzanine will enhance the social and theatrical aspect of the space.
The Forum opens to the Agora, where visitors will find a cinema, café and lounge area
© Moreau Kusunoki and Frida Escobedo
The New Generation Center is the next step in the expansion of Centre Pompidou's cultural offerings. The new area will be centered around the staircase leading to the public library, while remaining part of the Forum. The area, which is not separated by rigid boundaries, will be a meeting place for people of all ages, especially child-friendly. The interior of the two-story library will contrast in character with the lower levels: the individual spaces will be smaller and more demarcated, with a flow of movement between them.
The architects will carve out a new space for users of all ages. The New Generation Center (Pôle Nouvelle génération) is intended to be an inclusive, stimulating place to play and exercise creativity
© Moreau Kusunoki and Frida Escobedo Studio
All exhibition spaces on the 4th, 5th and 6th levels will be redesigned to best showcase the works of art in the museum's collection. A revolution in the building will be the addition of a huge roof terrace, which will be accessed by a staircase on the facade (Chenille). Intervention in the existing roof will be minimal to accommodate the staging of program events (including pavilions and other light structures) and all other uses.
Visualization of the public library at Paris' Centre Pompidou
© Moreau Kusunoki and Frida Escobedo Studio
Social and environmental aspects of the renovation
Construction work will be led by engineers from AIA Life Designers. In addition to repairing the façade, the technical goals of the renovation include replacing the entire electrical system and water mains with energy-reducing counterparts. 54% of the building materials obtained during demolition will be reused, saving 60 kg of CO₂/m² equivalent emissions during the construction phase, as well as avoiding the disposal of 1,200 tons of waste. Each contract with third-party companies includes a clause that reserves a certain number of working hours for those experiencing social or professional difficulties.
In what cities can we see Centre Pompidou collections?
The institution's other branches will remain open to the public. Fans of contemporary art going to Malaga, Brussels, Shanghai or Metz in northern France need not fear an unpleasant surprise. Centre Pompidou plans to expand to America (Jersey City), Saudi Arabia and the South Korean capital Seoul.
