Palais de Tokio

I have been in Paris 3 times in my life but I always have missed the chance to visit the Palais de Tokyo, a contemporary center designed by one of my favorite architects: Lacaton & Vassal.


Opened in 1937, the Palais de Tokyo has suffered from decades of neglect and subsequent deterioration. Housing modern art in its early stages of life, it soon was relegated to the sidelines upon completion of the Centre Pompidou in late 70’s, which took over the role of hosting modern art exhibitions. Sitting dormant and unused for latter part of the 20^th century, it has since been reinvigorated by architects Lacaton & Vassal, opening back up to the public in 2002. The stripped down structure that exposes and embraces raw materials has recently received a new expansion by the architects who breathed new life into it. More details after the break.


The gallery has grown from 7000 to 22,000 square meters. Lacaton & Vassal chose to stay true to their original restoration where everything was kept raw – honesty of materiality.


Another interesting aspect of the museum is its lack of dictated routes that are typical of other galleries. The visitor in Palais is free to roam and explore uninhibited through the building’s below grade grotto, and its upper level exhibition spaces.


text source: archdaily.com/