studio malka takes to paris to occupy the louvre with fifteen modular micro-pavilions

arching micro-architectures at the louvre

Studio Malka Architecture is selected to design and build fifteen modular pavilions inside the renowned historical collection of the Louvre Museum in Paris. With respect for its historic context, the design team embarks on a meticulous and systemic formal analysis to ensure that its ‘micro-architectures’ are adequate within the iconic French Museum. The design process begins with the ‘arch.’ in all its forms and variations, the arch stands out as a common denominator among the architectural elements of the Louvre throughout its varied construction periods.

images courtesy Studio Malka Architecture

continuing the paris museum’s layered history

The team at Studio Malka Architecture (see more here) designs the geometries and orientations of its Louvre Pavilions to fit naturally within the Paris Royal axis, a tribute to the perspective of L’Arc de Triomphe and La Grande Arche de La Defense.

The design team hopes that the arching pavilions will introduce a new connection to the city’s architectural landmarks including the arcades lining the rue de Rivoli, the iconic bridge along the river Seine, or the Eiffel tower. At once timeless and contemporary, the new modular arches will exist in direct continuity to those built in the Louvre since the 12th century, highlighting the heritage of the building.

the modular design by studio malka

The team at Studio Malk explains the modular design of its Louvre Pavilions in Paris: ‘Thanks to the different positions between the modules which can be connected face to face, back to back and even at right angles, the Louvre modular pavilions can adapt perfectly to the geometry of the different salons of the Museum.

‘The combination of these modules generates multiple and various geometries, such as successions of arches, vault, domes, alcoves or even star vaults of different heights.’

The acoustic system of the Malka Architecture-designed arches will work like a ‘noise trap’ within the soaring halls of the Louvre in Paris. The micro-structures will absorb sound inside their arches to considerably reduce echoing throughout room. The team notes: ‘These micro-architectures are built exclusively from various Parisian museum’s stage design leftovers. Entirely prefabricated in workshops, they will only require the assembly of the different parts between them on site, and generates a waste free and silent construction site.’

The architects continue: ‘In a world in pandemic crisis, it is difficult to design a public pavilion without any protocol. No one can predict the impact of virus mutations, uses and regulations for thoses areas in the next following years. Also, in this so-called “after-world”, we must be able to prepare for various possibilities and create suitable scenarios in order to be able to welcome users in the best possible conditions.

‘This is also why our reception pavilions proposal are not only modular but also mobile; Thus, their positioning and combinations may evolve depending on the different requests, but also at the rate of peak periods, like celebrations or school holidays.‘

‘The possible modular combinations enable to create endless possibilities to ensure social distances by simply moving and rotating the modules according to needs and uses, as Denon Salon’s Pavilion proposal for exemple is a few meters from the overcrowded Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.’

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project info:

project title: Louvre Pavilions

architecture: Studio Malka Architecture | @studiomalka

location: The Louvre Museum, Paris, France

design team: Studio Malka Architecture architecte mandataire, Peutz acousticien, CB économie, Aartil éclairage, Citae bet accèssibilité