Location: Montignac, France.

Architect: Snøhetta.

The International Centre for Cave Art (Centre International d’Art Parietal) in Montignac, France offers visitors an immersive educational experience of the prehistoric Lascaux cave paintings. The paintings are among the finest known examples of art from the Paleolithic period and were first discovered in 1940. In 2010, for the 70th anniversary of the cave discovery, the International Centre for Cave Art project, Lascaux IV, was announced. It frames a new experience of some of the finest known examples of prehistoric art and offers profound new ways of understanding the rich heritage of the site. The exterior reflects the contours of the limestone geology and reveals a dramatic exhibition experience designed to transport the visitor into a cave complex.

Snhetta’s design for Lascaux IV, a museum and interpretation centre, aims to create an experience that educates visitors on the significance of the site while revealing the original wonder and mystery of its discovery. The building’s form and materiality have been given a sober expression, speaking to the elements of the surrounding nature. The walls, roof, façade strip, and both interior and exterior flooring are all made in the same architectural concrete, giving the building a monolithic expression. Glass defines the façade and the roof of the orientation space, creating a direct visual connection between the exterior and the interior. The interplay between glass and concrete creates contrasting effects, creating balance and a contemporary feel.

Photo credit: Boegly + Grazia photographers.