Paris Modern architecture

Modern Architecture in Paris

Centre Georges Pompidou

Centre Georges Pompidou is a complex in the Beaubourg area of the 4th arrondissement of Paris, near Les Halles, rue Montorgueil and the Marais. It was designed in the style of high-tech architecture and it houses the Bibliothèque publique d’information, the Musée National d’Art Moderne and IRCAM, a centre for music and acoustic research.

Cité de La Mode et du Design

In Paris’s 13th arrondissement, Parisian architects Jakob and MacFarlane have converted the existing concrete skeleton of a former warehouse into a center for design and fashion. The architects constantly explore all forms and ‘non-forms’, which is visible in this project: parasitical volumes in apple-green spindles colonize the entire façade.

Louvre Pyramid

The Louvre Pyramid is a complex inter-linked steel structure sheathed in reflective glass, surrounded by smaller pyramids, in the main courtyard of the Louvre Palace in Paris. The large pyramid serves as the main entrance to the Louvre Museum.

La Grande Arche de la Défense

A monument and building in the business district of La Défense and in the commune of Puteaux, to the west of Paris. Danish architect Johann Otto von Spreckelsen (1929–1987) and Danish engineer Erik Reitzel designed the 20th-century version of the Arc de Triomphe: a monument to humanity and humanitarian ideals rather than military victories.

Le Cinémathèque Française

After a long residency at the Palais de Chaillot, the Cinémathèque Française has since September 2005 made its home within the striking, spacious cubist building, designed by the architect Frank Gehry, situated 51 rue de Bercy, in Paris’ 12th district. The art house cinema and film library resides in the building.

Villa Savoye

Villa Savoye is a modernist villa in Poissy, in the outskirts of Paris. It was designed by Swiss architects Le Corbusier and his cousin, Pierre Jeanneret, and built between 1928 and 1931. A manifesto of Le Corbusier’s “five points” of new architecture, the villa is representative of the bases of modern architecture, and is one of the most easily recognizable and renowned examples of the International style.

Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Centre François Mitterand
This complex is in the 13 th arrondissement. It consists of four tall buildings, each at the corner of a rectangular open space, for the most part a flat wooden deck, devoid of any objects except for some modernist lamp poles. There are seats around the periphery, which are usually full of people. There is also a large section, lower than the wooden deck, which is filled with trees, and runs the entire length of the deck area. The four tall buildings are designed to look like open books.

Parc André Citroën

Located in the 15 th arrondissement. The park consists of some modern steel and glass structures at the south end, which are actually large greenhouses. Running along one side of the park is a series of concrete walls, which have waterfalls built into them. At the opposite end of the park from the greenhouses is a giant montgolfière – a hot air balloon – bearing the logo of the company Eutelsat, which has offices adjoining the park. Across from the concrete walls is a wall of green – hedges and trees. This part is sectioned off into gardens with various color themes, such as the blue garden, which is filled with plants whose flowers are various shades of blue. On Sundays, this park is filled with people.