Location: Marsiglia, France.

Architect: Kengo Kuma and associates.

FRAC Marseille is a cultural center established in 1982 to support young artists and their works in France. It is located in Provence, Alps and Cote D’Azur and aims to decentralize artistic activities in the country. The center is closely connected with its locals and is entirely open to the region. The site is in a unique triangle shape, sandwiched between two streets in the waterfront quarter of the town. The center wanted an elevated street that could work as an exhibition space and a workshop. The elevated street has a knot set up as an open-air plaza, which functions also as a meeting place or even a party room. The external wall consists of enamel glass particles fixed in a checkered pattern with gaps in between, giving the building openness and transparency that are hard to gain from conventional glass boxes. The building’s design effectively links the inside and outside, which is what FRAC has aimed for since its inception.

Photo credit: Xavier Zimmermann.