centre pompidou to close for three years for complete renovation

authorities in france have approved plans that will see the centre pompidou, the paris institution designed by renzo piano and richard rogers, close for three years. the construction work will begin at the end of 2023 and is scheduled to complete by the end of 2026. as part of the renovation, all asbestos will be removed from the building with the entire complex brought in line with modern-day safety, accessibility, and energy standards.

image by adora goodenough

in addition to the removal of all asbestos, the renovation will also see many of the building’s windows replaced and parts of the corroded structure repaired. the comprehensive restoration also involves updating the interior surfaces, and the replacement or renovation of the building’s elevators and famous escalators. serge lasvignes, president of the centre pompidou, says that the news secures the long term future of the building, which has not undergone any major renovation work since it opened in 1977. it is hoped that the work will be completed in time for the institution to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2027.

image by wen chen

centre pompidou is a complex building located in the 4th arrondissement of paris. designed by richard rogers and renzo piano, the building houses the bibliothèque publique d’information (public information library), a vast public library; the musée national d’art moderne, the largest museum for modern art in europe; and IRCAM, a center for music and acoustic research. during the renovation, the public information library will have a temporary location elsewhere in paris.

image by georgy rudakov