fondation louis vuitton by frank gehry takes shape in paris

fondation louis vuitton by frank gehry takes shape in paris
photography © fondation louis vuitton / florence joubert / nicolas borel / mohamed khalfi / louis-marie dauzat

construction is entering its final stages at the ‘fondation louis vuitton‘, six years after work began in paris’ historic bois de boulogne park. the cultural complex, designed by frank gehry, houses a range of contemporary art works, accommodating a permanent collection alongside temporary and traveling exhibitions. the venue will also stage multi-disciplinary performances, meetings and debates in addition to educational activities targeted towards a younger audience. the completed building is scheduled to open to the public in autumn, 2014.

the design is strongly influenced by the lightness and fluidity of late 19th century glass and garden architecture
image © fondation louis vuitton

when developing initial ideas for the scheme, gehry was strongly influenced by the lightness and fluidity of late 19th century glass and garden architecture. consequently, the project is characterized by its use of glazing, which employs a recently developed method that allows the material to be curved in accordance with millimeter specific requirements. ‘I dream of designing, in paris, a magnificent vessel symbolizing the cultural calling of france’, declared the 1989 pritzker laureate.

the project utilizes an engineering method that allows glass to be curved to millimeter specific requirements
image © fondation louis vuitton

twelve expansive sails made from 3,600 panes of glass lend the project a bright and transparent quality, while below, the structure is composed of a series of white blocks – referred to as the ‘iceberg’. placed in a specially designed basin, the building sits organically within the green space next to an adjacent woodland area, fully integrated within the park’s natural environment.

twelve expansive glazed sails lend the structure a bright and transparent quality
image © fondation louis vuitton

the building sits organically within the park,  next to an adjacent woodland area
image © fondation louis vuitton

the twelve sails contain 3,600 panes of glass
image © fondation louis vuitton / louis-marie dauzat

the scheme becomes fully integrated within the park’s natural environment
image © fondation louis vuitton / mohamed khalfi

visitors to the park are offered glimpses of the distinctive structure
image © fondation louis vuitton / louis-marie dauzat

‘fondation louis vuitton’ shown in context
image © fondation louis vuitton

an aerial view of the building, which has been six years in construction
image © fondation louis vuitton

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