frank gehry's fondation louis vuitton opens in paris

six years after construction began, the fondation louis vuitton is ready to open its doors to the public for the first time. set within paris’ historic bois de boulogne park, the frank gehry-designed museum houses a range of contemporary art works, accommodating a permanent collection alongside temporary and traveling exhibitions.

set within paris’ historic bois de boulogne park, the museum houses a range of contemporary art works
image © iwan baan (also main image)

the structure is composed of an assemblage of white blocks clad in panels of fiber-reinforced concrete, with twelve glazed ‘sails’ supported with structural wooden beams. the entrance foyer at ground floor level is activated with a restaurant and a bookstore, while an adjacent multi-purpose volume can be used as an auditorium capable of accommodating 350 guests.

the structure is composed of an assemblage of white blocks clad in panels of fiber-reinforced concrete
image © todd eberle

seeking to bring a sense of nature inside the building, large amounts of glazing enable expansive views across the parkland, while sculptural stairways lead visitors to rooftop gardens and further gallery space. the venue will also stage multi-disciplinary performances, meetings and debates, in addition to educational activities targeted towards a younger audience. see designboom’s previous coverage of the project here.

12 glazed ‘sails’ are supported with structural wooden beams
image © todd eberle

in total, the sails contain 3,600 panes of glass
image © todd eberle

large expanses of glazing enable views across the parkland
image © todd eberle

the design is strongly influenced by the lightness and fluidity of late 19th century glass and garden architecture
image © todd eberle

the entrance foyer at ground floor level is activated with a restaurant and a bookstore
image © todd eberle

image © todd eberle

stairways lead visitors to rooftop gardens and further gallery space
images © todd eberle

the project utilizes an engineering method that allows glass to be curved to millimeter specific requirements
image © todd eberle