Project Info+

Centre Pompidou-Metz

Metz, France – 2003

Shigeru Ban Architects and Jean de Gastines Architects with Gumuchdjian Architects for the conception of the winning competition design in Metz, France. The new Centre Pompidou-Metz was inaugurated by President Sarkozy in May 2010 to house permanent and temporary exhibitions from the Musee National d’Art Moderne. The commission won in design competition in 2003 against designs from Herzog & de Meuron, and Dominique Perrault.

The building is conceived as a large pavilion set within a new Park. The site was part of a vast deserted industrial wasteland. We propose that the outdoor spaces are landscaped and drawn into and under the skirts of a giant hexagonal woven timber roof that protects the museum. These outdoor public spaces are the ‘shared ground’ between the old and new districts of the City that are divided by train tracks.

Beneath the giant roof three ‘serviced’ cantilevered Gallery spaces measuring 100m x 15m house the museum’s collection in perfect environmental conditions. The large gable ends of the galleries telescope views of the great Cathedral and other monuments into the heart of the building. The new Centre Pompidou is on the ‘wrong side of the tracks’ but the museum interiors are part of the historic city.

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Project Info+

Centre Pompidou-Metz

Metz, France – 2003

Shigeru Ban Architects and Jean de Gastines Architects with Gumuchdjian Architects for the conception of the winning competition design in Metz, France. The new Centre Pompidou-Metz was inaugurated by President Sarkozy in May 2010 to house permanent and temporary exhibitions from the Musee National d’Art Moderne. The commission won in design competition in 2003 against designs from Herzog & de Meuron, and Dominique Perrault.

The building is conceived as a large pavilion set within a new Park. The site was part of a vast deserted industrial wasteland. We propose that the outdoor spaces are landscaped and drawn into and under the skirts of a giant hexagonal woven timber roof that protects the museum. These outdoor public spaces are the ‘shared ground’ between the old and new districts of the City that are divided by train tracks.

Beneath the giant roof three ‘serviced’ cantilevered Gallery spaces measuring 100m x 15m house the museum’s collection in perfect environmental conditions. The large gable ends of the galleries telescope views of the great Cathedral and other monuments into the heart of the building. The new Centre Pompidou is on the ‘wrong side of the tracks’ but the museum interiors are part of the historic city.

Back to top