Paris And Mitterand

Franois Mitterrand

Franois Mitterrand was the fourth President of France elected under the Fifth Republic, serving from 1981 until 1995. As leader of the Socialist Party, he is the only figure from the left so far elected President under the Fifth Republic. Several large architectural works were pursued, with the building of the Louvre Pyramid, the Channel Tunnel, the Grande Arche at La Dfense, the Bastille Opera, the Finance Ministry in Bercy, and the National Library of France.

BUILDINGS

1.Louvre Pyramid 2.Grande Arche 3.Bibliothque Nationale De France (Bnf) 4.Finance Ministry in Bercy 5.Arab World Institute 6.Bastille Opera

1.LOUVRE PYRAMID
I. M. Pei -1989

LOUVRE PYRAMID

Section

Plan

LOUVRE PYRAMID

LOUVRE PYRAMID

Spectacular in concept and form, they provide a startling reminder of the audacious ability of modern architects to invigorate and re-circulate traditional architectural forms.

LOUVRE PYRAMID

LOUVRE PYRAMID

Facade Details

LOUVRE PYRAMID Interior

The main Pyramid is basically a complex inter-linked steel structure sheathed in reflective glass. In fact it is an entrance doorway providing a long-overdue entrance portico to the main galleries of the Louvre.

LOUVRE PYRAMID Interior

Stairs Details

LOUVRE PYRAMID Interior

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcFeJWJjIXc&feature=related

2.GRANDE ARCHE
Johan-Otto Von Spreckelsen-1989

GRANDE ARCHE Historical Axis

Once elected President, Franois Mitterrand announced that La Dfense needed a monumental structure which would represent the French state for centuries to come. The project was called Tte Dfense (Head Dfense) and was part of the so-called Grands Travaux (the Great Works), which involved the construction of a series of impressive architectural projects such as the Louvre Pyramid and the new Bastille opera house.

GRANDE ARCHE Historical Axis

In the midst of the skyscrapers bordering the Historical Axis in La Dfense, a strong unifying symbol was needed, one on a grander scale.

GRANDE ARCHE

Amongst the hundreds of proposals for the Head Dfense, that of Danish architect JohanOtto Von Spreckelsen was chosen. It featured an open cube to look like a window open to the world with and gazing towards the future. The architect described his project as: a modern Arc de Triomphe, erected to the glory of the triumph of humanity; a symbol of hope that in the future people may meet freely.

GRANDE ARCHE

The gigantic and stunning monument is 110 metres tall by 112 metres deep and could hold the cathedral Notre-Dame in within its arch. The magisterial modern triumphal arch is undeniably a successful project blending perfectly with the surroundings thanks to its contemporary outline of white marble.

GRANDE ARCHE

GRANDE ARCHE

GRANDE ARCHE Elevator

3.BIBLIOTHQUE NATIONALE DE FRANCE (BNF)

Dominique Perrault-1997

BIBLIOTHQUE NATIONALE DE FRANCE (BNF)

The grands projects of President of the Republic, Franois Mitterrand, are all closely associated with a site and history; in short, a place with a name.

BIBLIOTHQUE NATIONALE DE FRANCE (BNF)

The Bibliothque Nationale de France is built on a stretch of industrial wasteland on the banks of the Seine in the East End of Paris. It represents the starting point of a complete restructuring of this entire sector of the 13th arrondissement. The institution encompasses within it elements of grandeur and generosity.

BIBLIOTHQUE NATIONALE DE FRANCE (BNF)

The enormous building, envisioned as a demonstration of architectural emphasis and affectation, is transformed into an absolute luxury, adding to the history of France a focus on immateriality and non ostentation. It is this context that engendered the concept of the project.

BIBLIOTHQUE NATIONALE DE FRANCE (BNF)

Video.mht

BIBLIOTHQUE NATIONALE DE FRANCE (BNF) Interior

Finance Ministry in Bercy

FINANCE MINISTRY IN BERCY

FINANCE MINISTRY IN BERCY

ARAB WORLD INSTITUTE

ARAB WORLD INSTITUTE

ARAB WORLD INSTITUTE

ARAB WORLD INSTITUTE

ARAB WORLD INSTITUTE

ARAB WORLD INSTITUTE

ARAB WORLD INSTITUTE

ARAB WORLD INSTITUTE

ARAB WORLD INSTITUTE

6.BASTILLE OPERA

BASTILLE OPERA

BASTILLE OPERA

BASTILLE OPERA Interior

BASTILLE OPERA Interior