Paris Modern Architecture

Monday, June 15, 2009

Modern architecture in Paris is something of a brainchild of Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano. Before they blew the minds of all Parisians alike with the Pompidou, Paris was a highly historic city. No building is to be taller than 8 stores high..except obviously for our beloved tour eiffel. The historic skyline was not to be disrupted with some monstrosity thought up by the glass box boys. Whether you like the pompidou or you hate it you can't help but be intrigued by the juxtaposition of something so modern against a historically rich surrounding. As Paris Chewed over the Pompidou and its modern appearance not much else went on for a good 20 years that was worth mentioning. In 1980 President Mitterrand brought up a new plan to modernize the city of lights. Including the grand entrance to the Louvre by I. M. Pei. Following begat a who's who list of modern and contemporary architects and architecture in a short period of time. Including: "the move of the Ministry of Finance into a new building (designed by Paul Chemetov), the Grande Arche de la Defense (by Von Spreckelsen), the Cité de la Musique (by Pritzer-prize winner Christian de Portzamparc),
the Institut du Monde Arabe (by Jean Nouvel),and the new library (by Dominique Perrault), now named after the grand master puppeteer himself as the Bibliotèque François-Mitterrand." Paris became a modern city due to the efforts of one man, and since then has become a mecca for lovers of the history of art and architcture. From the age if antiquity to the present Paris has been a leader in modern architecture.

By: Megan Evans