Arts and Cultural Centre in Paris

The up-and-coming Quai d’Austerlitz district, is bounded along the Seine by the “Docks of Paris”, a 280-metre-long concrete structure dating from the early 20th century. This has now been rehabilitated to house a fashion school, exhibition spaces, shops and cafes. The winning competition scheme integrates the required content within a strict grid layout. The river face is distinguished by an enclosed access route suspended from the building – not unlike the escalator structure of the Centre Pompidou, but with a more organic form that is allegedly based on the grid of the old hall. This weatherproof route leads from street level to the roof terrace. The air-conditioned spaces to the rear have their own facade.