Location: Paris, France.

Architect: Manuelle Gautrand Architecture.

The challenge of re-structuring an old 19th century theatre in Paris into an interactive platform for 21st century music and arts has been addressed by creating a space that caters to all artistic activities of today. The design priorities include three main production facilities and three spaces for live shows, surrounded by fluid and mobile spaces that can serve as work studios and presentation spaces. The aim is to create a permissive place that enables encounters in fusion and breaks down barriers between the digital arts, music, and new modes of exchange between the public and artists. To animate these fluctuations of programme and accompany the many changes in spatial layout, mobile guide modules called “Eclaireuses” are provided, and a long dodecaedric furniture ribbon threads the entire layout to assist the public in its movements. There are currently 70 Eclaireuses in the building.

Photo credit: Jean Harixcalde.