‘mobile art pavilion’ by zaha hadid, paris, franceimage © francois lacour, courtesy of institut du monde arabe
zaha hadid’s mobile art pavilion has found its permanent home outside of the institute du monde arabe in paris after a world tour – inclusive of new york, tokyo and hong kong – that began in 2008. donated to the institute by chanel, the unit will aid in the development of broader cultural programs at the center and will host exhibitions that showcase the talent of designers, artists and architects from arab countries.
conceived through a system of natural organization, the structure is shaped by both functional and conceptual considerations. fluid geometries and organic lines compose a continuum of fluent and dynamic spaces, where oppositions between light and dark, interior and exterior and natural and artificial are manufactured. undulating surfaces and flowing volumes converge, constantly redefining the quality and experience of each exhibition space, while guiding movement throughout.
entrance image © designboom
distorted and contoured, the unit is an expression of the integration between sculpted lines and formal logic. derived from new digital modeling tools, the low spiraling pavilion contrasts the order and repetition evident in jean nouvel’s nearby building.
exterior elevation image © designboom
detail of exterior cladding image © designboom
exterior entrance image © designboom
entrance image © designboom
coat closet image © designboom
ceiling detail image © designboom
entrance image © designboom
lobby image © designboom
wall detail image © designboom
view towards lobby image © francois lacour, courtesy of institut du monde arabe
detail of area divider image © francois lacour, courtesy of institut du monde arabe
exhibition space image © designboom
bench in exhibition space image © designboom
ramp image © designboom
physical model image © designboom
physical model image © designboom
floor plan image courtesy of zaha hadid architects
aerial view at night image © francois lacour, courtesy of institut du monde arabe
night view image © francois lacour, courtesy of institut du monde arabe
