New York studio Selldorf Architects and Paris-based Studios Architecture have won the competition to design the biggest renovation to the Musée du Louvre for 35 years.
The French minister of culture, Catherine Pégard, announced the winner, with the studios set to create a pair of new entrances for the historic museum, as well as a dedicated exhibition space for the Mona Lisa painting.
Selldorf Architects and Studios Architecture‘s proposal was selected from a shortlist of five submissions.
The other submissions included AL_A with NC Nathalie Crinière, Sou Fujimoto Architects, Diller Scofidio + Renfro with Architecturestudio, and SANAA with Dubuisson Architecture.
According to the Musée du Louvre, “the project fully incorporates the challenges of visitor experience, clear pathways, simplicity, and greenery, all while taking relevant security considerations into account.”
The renovation, named the Louvre New Renaissance, will be the largest project undertaken at the museum since architect IM Pei added the landmark glass and steel pyramid in the museum’s courtyard in 1989.
The eastern block of the museum, known as the Colonnade, will be overhauled, along with the moat alongside it.
The studio’s proposal will add a pair of subterranean entrances to the museum from within the moat, which will be accessed by a pair of symmetrical ramps.
Each ramp will extend above the moat before being recessed into the walls, with cafes and bookshops located underneath.
The moat itself will be turned into a garden designed by BASE, creating a peaceful garden in the heart of the city.
Within the museum, along with a dedicated exhibition space for the Mona Lisa, the gallery spaces will be renovated to modern standards.
This renovation comes after the much-publicised break-in at the museum last year.
The renovation project has met resistance from some staff at Musée du Louvre, who last year went on strike demanding that plans be scrapped in favour of carrying out building maintenance.
The museum announced that the staff will now be consulted on the plans, with a period of consultation beginning in the coming months.
Selldorf Architects, led by Annabelle Selldorf, has renovated numerous museums around the world.
Last year, it completed the renovations of two of the world’s best-known cultural institutions, the National Gallery’s Sainsbury Wing in London and The Frick Collection in New York.
The Musée du Louvre is one of the most visited museums in the world, with over 10 million visitors per year.
It’s expected that the renovation will help to improve the visitor experience and increase accessibility to the museum.
According to officials, the project’s budget and timeline have not been disclosed.
However, it’s expected that the renovation will take several years to complete.
Renovation Details
The renovation will include the creation of new exhibition spaces, the renovation of existing galleries, and the addition of new amenities such as cafes and bookshops.
The subterranean entrances will be designed to be accessible and secure, with the ramps providing a smooth transition from the moat to the museum.
The garden designed by BASE will be a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city.
The Musée du Louvre is a world-renowned cultural institution, and the renovation will help to ensure its continued relevance and appeal to visitors from around the world.
Architectural Significance
The Louvre New Renaissance project is significant not only for the Musée du Louvre but also for the city of Paris.
The renovation will help to preserve the museum’s architectural heritage while also introducing new and innovative design elements, such as incorporating eco-friendly features.
The project’s success will depend on the ability of the architects to balance the old with the new, creating a seamless and cohesive design that respects the museum’s history and culture.
The Musée du Louvre is a testament to the power of art and architecture to inspire and educate, and the Louvre New Renaissance project will help to ensure its continued relevance and importance for generations to come.
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