construction continues on frank gehry's LUMA arles tower in france

new images of frank gehry’s tower for the LUMA contemporary art foundation reveal the twisting, 56 meter-tall structure taking shape in the french city of arles. a year after the first documentation of its construction process, the tower’s concrete core has been clad in an irregularly-shaped façade of stainless steel panels and protruding glass boxes that evoke the forms of the region’s rugged mountain ranges.

the 56 meter-tall structure is taking shape in the french city of arles
image © hervé hôte

led by swiss collector maja hoffmann, LUMA arles occupies a former rail depot with a campus designed to showcase some of the art world’s biggest names. joining two former rail structures already converted into exhibition facilities by US firm selldorf architects, the frank gehry-designed tower will house a variety of different programs, including research facilities, workshop and seminar rooms, and artist studios. the entire site will be set within a public park designed by landscape architect bas smets.

the tower’s concrete core has been clad in an irregularly-shaped façade of stainless steel panels
image © hervé hôte

gehry’s building, which is the centerpiece of the ‘parc des ateliers’, will open in stages, with the first opening date scheduled for 2020. LUMA arles remains open throughout the construction period, with a variety of exhibitions currently on view. see designboom’s previous coverage of the project here, and see more images of the LUMA arles site in the gallery at the bottom of the page.

the building mimics the forms of the surrounding mountain ranges
image © hervé hôte

the building will open in stages, with the first opening date scheduled for 2020
image © hervé hôte

glass boxes protrude from the angular façade
image © hervé hôte

an aerial view of the site
image © hervé hôte

the complex occupies a former rail depot
image © hervé hôte

exhibition facilities are being designed by US firm selldorf architects
image © hervé hôte

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project info:

name: LUMA arles
architects: gehry partners LPP, selldorf architects
landscape architect: bas smets
client: LUMA foundation
location: parc des ateliers, 45 chemin des minimes, 13200 arles, france