shigeru ban wins competition to design cite musicale in paris

it has been announced that shigeru ban has won the international competition, in collaboration with local firm jean de gastines architectes, to design the new ‘cite musicale’ on seguin island in southwest paris. the island in the middle of the seine river has passed through many hands and transformations, from renault’s manufacturing plant until 2005, to a cultural development master minded by jean nouvel, to tadao ando‘s pinault foundation contemporary art museum which was never actually built.

all images © shigeru ban architects

slated for completion in 2016, the 36,500 ft2 musical building with newly acquired funds will contain a multipurpose concert hall with up to 6000 seats, a classical music hall with 1140 seats, rehearsal and recording rooms, practice facilities, restaurant, shop, housing for orchestra musicians, and an outdoor park that forms an inviting entry sequence into the complex. the structure features a rounded transparent skin supported by a signature geometric reticulated wooden structure characteristic of the architect, creating a protected micro-climate filled with light.

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