Archinect - News

The Grand Palais debuts its pre-Olympics makeover in Paris

2024-04-24T11:48:00-04:00

As the start of this summer’s Olympics and Paralympics draws closer in Paris, the first images of the Chatillon Architectes-led restoration of the Grand Palais have been made public.

The initial phase of the four-year project that will be completed in 2025 involved expanding its capacity by 60%, creating a new pedestrian linkage to the Seine and Square Jean Perrin, restoring the balconies of the structure’s nave, and removing ad hoc additions that had slowly accrued since its opening 124 years ago.

Image credit: Laurent Kronental for Chatillon Architectes

New public gardens were created around the building, fostering an enhanced connection between it and other historic areas in the 8th arrondissement: the Champs-Élysées, Boulevard Churchill, and Petit Palais. They include more than 250 plant species, fed by rainwater that has been collected from the roofs — the largest made of glass in Europe — of the Grand Palais. The project's total costs will equal about $500 million USD, and the...

Design Miami’s first Parisian edition canceled due to 'security problems'

2022-08-01T19:31:00-04:00

Authorities in Paris have put the kibosh on Design Miami’s first Parisian edition after police there cited a lack of security at its planned site, the historic Place de la Concorde.

The concern led to the July 29th denial of permit issuance by the city’s new police chief Laurent Nunez, who extended his predecessor Didier Lallement’s decision from a month prior on the grounds that the area would present “security problems.” As reported in Le Monde, a source familiar with the case feels the real culprit is a fear of France’s Gilets Jaunes, or Yellow Vest protesters, who previously sparred with police in the same location in a series of public demonstrations that turned violent near the end of 2018.

As a result, the fair’s organizers announced they will be forced to cancel the October event, stating that “the timeline has proved too short to proceed this Autumn.” Organizers also confirmed each exhibitor will be given a full refund and that they are working to find an alternative locati...

New renderings of LAN's Grand Palais redevelopment in Paris

2018-02-27T14:23:00-05:00

French firm LAN (Local Architecture Network) won the competition of restructuring the iconic Grand Palais back in 2014. Updates have been released on the firm's plans for this historic Paris venue, a space which was built in 1900 for the World's Fair.

Grand Palais, Mediation space simulation. Image: LAN.

Grand Palais, entrée de la Rue des Palais simulation. Image: LAN.

Among the updated features are six new galleries and a Chanel-sponsored entrance. The $570 million renovation also includes a new entrance from Square Jean Perrin into refurbished science museum, and a new internal walkway linking all parts of the massive complex.

Grand Palais, Curved Galleries simulation. Image: LAN.

LAN describes the undertaking, "For us, the Grand Palais represents modernity both in its design and in its symbolism. It is a hybrid building in terms of its architecture, its use and its history."

Grand Palais, Main Galleries simulation. Image: LAN.

Grand Palais, reception area simulation. Image: LAN.

The G...

LAN chosen to restructure iconic Grand Palais in Paris

2014-03-04T21:48:00-05:00

The historic Grand Palais is due for a contemporary touch-up from French firm LAN, who recently won the competition to restructure and expand the monument...Looking beyond the museum's Beaux-Arts style, LAN highlights the museum's durability and flexibility in an effort to bring out the building's full potential.

Have a glimpse of LAN's winning proposal below:

Drawings:

Find out more on Bustler.