Jump to content

Institut du Monde Arabe: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 48°50′56″N 2°21′23″E / 48.84889°N 2.35639°E / 48.84889; 2.35639
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Kemped (talk | contribs)
27 edits
m Added information regarding cost of building project
Line 6: Line 6:
[[Image:Raghunath Manet.jpg|thumb|right|230px|[[Raghunath Manet]] performing at the AWI]]
[[Image:Raghunath Manet.jpg|thumb|right|230px|[[Raghunath Manet]] performing at the AWI]]
[[Image:CoastalSyriaBirdCeramic13thCentury.jpg|thumb|right|230px|A 13th-century [[three-color]] Syrian ceramic in the AWI museum and exhibition gallery]]
[[Image:CoastalSyriaBirdCeramic13thCentury.jpg|thumb|right|230px|A 13th-century [[three-color]] Syrian ceramic in the AWI museum and exhibition gallery]]
The AWI is located in a building known as the ''Institut du Monde Arabe'', the same name as the institute, on Rue des Fossés Saint Bernard in the [[5th arrondissement of Paris]], France. It was constructed from 1981 to 1987 and has floor space of {{convert|181850|sqft|m2}}. [[Architecture-Studio]], together with [[Jean Nouvel]], won the 1981 [[Architectural design competition|design competition]] with a highly original plan for a difficult site that, over the years, has proven to be a successful design solution.
The AWI is located in a building known as the ''Institut du Monde Arabe'', the same name as the institute, on Rue des Fossés Saint Bernard in the [[5th arrondissement of Paris]], France. It was constructed from 1981 to 1987 and has floor space of {{convert|181850|sqft|m2}}. [[Architecture-Studio]], together with [[Jean Nouvel]], won the 1981 [[Architectural design competition|design competition]] with a highly original plan for a difficult site that, over the years, has proven to be a successful design solution. This project is a result of funds from both the League of Arab States and the French government, with the cost of the building totaling around €230,000,000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.akdn.org/de/architecture/project/institut-du-monde-arabe|title=Institut du Monde Arabe {{!}} Aga Khan Development Network|website=www.akdn.org|access-date=2016-09-29}}</ref>


The building acts as a buffer zone between the [[Jussieu Campus]] of [[Pierre and Marie Curie University]] (Paris VI), built in large rationalist urban blocks, and the [[Seine]]. The river façade follows the curve of the waterway, reducing the hardness of a rectangular grid and offering an inviting view from the Sully Bridge. At the same time the building appears to fold itself back in the direction of the [[Saint-Germain-des-Prés]] district.
The building acts as a buffer zone between the [[Jussieu Campus]] of [[Pierre and Marie Curie University]] (Paris VI), built in large rationalist urban blocks, and the [[Seine]]. The river façade follows the curve of the waterway, reducing the hardness of a rectangular grid and offering an inviting view from the Sully Bridge. At the same time the building appears to fold itself back in the direction of the [[Saint-Germain-des-Prés]] district.

Revision as of 01:27, 29 September 2016

The members of the Arab World Institute.

The Arab World Institute (abbreviated "AWI"; French: Institut du Monde Arabe, abbreviated "IMA") is an organization founded in Paris in 1980 by 18 Arab countries with France to research and disseminate information about the Arab world and its cultural and spiritual values. The Institute also promotes cooperation and exchanges between France and the Arab nations, particularly in the areas of science and technology, contributing to the understanding between the Arab world and Europe. Libya joined the institute in 1984.

Architectural features of the AWI building

Raghunath Manet performing at the AWI
A 13th-century three-color Syrian ceramic in the AWI museum and exhibition gallery

The AWI is located in a building known as the Institut du Monde Arabe, the same name as the institute, on Rue des Fossés Saint Bernard in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, France. It was constructed from 1981 to 1987 and has floor space of 181,850 square feet (16,894 m2). Architecture-Studio, together with Jean Nouvel, won the 1981 design competition with a highly original plan for a difficult site that, over the years, has proven to be a successful design solution. This project is a result of funds from both the League of Arab States and the French government, with the cost of the building totaling around €230,000,000.[1]

The building acts as a buffer zone between the Jussieu Campus of Pierre and Marie Curie University (Paris VI), built in large rationalist urban blocks, and the Seine. The river façade follows the curve of the waterway, reducing the hardness of a rectangular grid and offering an inviting view from the Sully Bridge. At the same time the building appears to fold itself back in the direction of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district.

In contrast to the curved surface on the river side, the southwest façade is an uncompromisingly rectangular glass-clad curtain wall. It faces a large square public space that opens in the direction of the Île de la Cité and Notre Dame. Visible behind the glass wall, a metallic screen unfolds with moving geometric motifs. The motifs are actually 240 photo-sensitive motor-controlled apertures, or shutters, which act as a sophisticated brise soleil that automatically opens and closes to control the amount of light and heat entering the building from the sun. The mechanism creates interior spaces with filtered light — an effect often used in Islamic architecture with its climate-oriented strategies. The innovative use of technology and success of the building's design catapulted Nouvel to fame and is one of the cultural reference points of Paris. Notably, the building received the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. The building houses a museum, library, auditorium, restaurant, and offices.

Michel Houellebecq sets a pivotal scene in his novel Submission at a reception held in the Institute's rooftop restaurant and terrace.[2]

Presidents of the AWI

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Institut du Monde Arabe.

References

  1. ^ "Institut du Monde Arabe | Aga Khan Development Network". www.akdn.org. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  2. ^ Roth, Marco (October 2015). "Among the Believers". Harper's Magazine. Retrieved 2 November 2015.

48°50′56″N 2°21′23″E / 48.84889°N 2.35639°E / 48.84889; 2.35639

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Institut_du_Monde_Arabe&oldid=741681731"