Pathé Foundation in Paris, France by Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Article source: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

The Foundation Jerôme Seydox-Pathé is an organization dedicated to the preservation of Pathé’s heritage, and to the promotion of the cinematographic art. Its new headquarters will be located in avenue des Gobelins, on the site of a XIX century disused theater.

View of the building by night from avenue des Gobelins , Image Courtesy © Michel Denancé

• Architects: Renzo Piano Building Workshop
• Project: Pathé Foundation
• Location: Paris, France
• Photography: Michel Denancé, Paul Raftery
• Client: Foundation Jérôme Seydoux – Pathé
• Design team: B. Plattner and T.Sahlmann (partner and associate in charge) with G.Bianchi (partner), A.Pachiaudi, S.Becchi, T.Kamp; S.Moreau, E.Ntourlias, O.Aubert, C.Colson, Y.Kyrkos (models)
• Consultants:  VP Green (structure); Arnold Walz (model 3d); Sletec (cost consultant); Inex (MEP); Tribu (Sustainability); Peutz (acoustics); Cosil (Light); Leo Berellini Architecte (interiors)
• Date: 2006-2014

View of the building from avenue des Gobelins, Image Courtesy © Michel Denancé

The new building will house Pathé’s archives, some exhibition spaces related to the cinematographic art, including a 40-seat screening room, and the offices of the foundation.

The project calls for the demolition of the two existing buildings to create a more organic space that better responds to the restrictions of the site.

View from the garden, Image Courtesy © Michel Denancé

The façade on the avenue des Gobelins will be restored and preserved, due to its historical and artistic value. Decorated with sculptures by Rodin, it is not only a historical landmark, but also an iconic building for the Gobelins area.

A new transparent building just behind the façade functions as the foundation’s public access. Looking like a greenhouse, it offers a view on the interior garden through the basement of the new egg-shaped building that houses the project’s main functions.

The entrance, Image Courtesy © Michel Denancé

The peculiar design of this 26 m high building is determined by the site’s major limits and requirements. In particular, it respects the distances with the adjoining buildings, while at the same time creating a new space for an interior garden.

The glazed form of the building is only perceived from the street through the and over the restored façade like a discreet presence during the daytime, while softly glowing at night.

the entrance, Image Courtesy © Michel Denancé

Interior view the archives, Image Courtesy © Michel Denancé

Interior view: level +5, Image Courtesy © Michel Denancé

Image Courtesy © Michel Denancé

Interior view: level +5, Image Courtesy © Michel Denancé

Interior view: level -1, Auditorium, Image Courtesy © Michel Denancé

Image Courtesy © Michel Denancé

level +5, Image Courtesy © RPBW

Cross Section, Image Courtesy © RPBW

Elevation on avenue des Gobelins , Image Courtesy © RPBW

3D model of the shell, Image Courtesy © RPBW

Roof section, Image Courtesy © RPBW

Tags: France, Paris

Categories: Art Center, Exhibition Center, Theater

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 2nd, 2014 at 8:15 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.