Renzo Piano's curvaceous new headquarters for the Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé Foundation are completed in Paris
![Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé Foundation](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8U7zbrB8weFE9v7wGhyr9L-415-80.jpg)
Passers-by on the Avenue des Gobelins in Paris' 13th arrondissement may notice an organic-shaped 'creature' peeking above Auguste Rodin's sculptures on the façade of No 73. Snuggled within an old city block, its rounded body is covered in aluminium scales, reflecting the grey colour of Parisian rooftops. A grey roof was one thing that Sophie Seydoux, president of the Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé Foundation, insisted upon when discussing the design of the Foundation's new headquarters with its architect, Renzo Piano.
Impressed by Piano's 2006 Morgan Library extension - an elegant addition to the dense fabric of Midtown Manhattan - Jérôme and Sophie Seydoux went directly to the Italian architect for the Foundation's new home. Piano had worked with Pathé before; his firm converted the 1920 Lingotto Factory building in Turin, home to one of its multiplexes.
Built in 1869 as a theatre and transformed into one of Paris' very first cinemas in the early 1900s, 'Le Rodin' - the existing building on No 73, which was gutted and rebuilt internally - was the perfect match for the Foundation. Pathé is not only a major player in the film industry today, but its history developed in parallel with the history of the movie industry.
A cinematographic empire born in 1896 from Charles Pathé's interest in the technical innovations of his time (notably Edison's phonograph and kinetoscope), Pathé had released over 9000 films by 1927. Its US branch reportedly produced a movie a day. All of them have been catalogued (although not all survived) in Pathé's vast archives, which comprise everything from business correspondence to photos from movie sets, a first-hand account of the beginnings of cinema as an art and an industry.
The new building - a highly anticipated new project by one of the most iconic contemporary architects - was an ideal choice of setting for our 2014 Architects Directory photo shoot. While it was in the late stages of completion earlier this year, we brought together 12 practices from the Directory's 20 emerging firms for a group portrait under its soaring glass roof.
When the Foundation's new headquarters are officially inaugurated in September, the building will host two key functions: a screening room for silent movies and a resource centre. 'Showing and explaining are the two things I'd like to do here,' says Sophie Seydoux, who plans to organise workshops for children to discover the materiality of movie making. Screening and exhibition rooms are housed in the lower floors, while staff and researchers will occupy the two upper levels, generously lit through the glass dome and clad in a warm, all-wood interior. The archives are sandwiched in the two floors in-between, at the building's heart.
Having the entire demolition and construction process pass through the existing building's 5m-wide listed front façade gate was among the project's major challenges. Architect Thorsten Sahlmann, who worked on both the Morgan Library and the Foundation, explains that the building's new glass entrance facilitates the transition between the historic frontage and 'the creature'.
Wallpaper* Newsletter + Free Download
For a free digital copy of August Wallpaper*, celebrating Creative America, sign up today to receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories
The project's reduced footprint (the theatre previously on site covered a larger volume) offers additional breathing space for the neighbours and even secures a courtyard garden, while the glass dome improves natural lighting in the adjacent apartment blocks. At Piano's firm, they are convinced that a project should not only react to the client brief, but also contribute to the city that surrounds it, and the new Pathé Foundation is a thoughtful response to both.
The roof's curved shape is covered in perforated aluminium scales, reflecting the grey colour of Parisian rooftops. © Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Collection Fondation Jerome Seydoux-Pathe
The eagerly anticipated building was a fitting location for our 2014 Architects Directory photo shoot, for which we brought together twelve of the twenty young practices we featured.
Built in 1869 as a theatre and transformed into one of Paris' very first cinemas in the early 1900s, 'Le Rodin' - the existing building on No 73 Avenue des Gobelins - was gutted and rebuilt internally. © Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Collection Fondation Jerome Seydoux-Pathe
Having the entire demolition and construction process pass through the existing building's 5m-wide listed front façade gate was among the project's major challenges. © Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Collection Fondation Jerome Seydoux-Pathe
Meeting rooms and office desks get plenty of natural light under the new building's rounded, semi-transparent roof. © Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Collection Fondation Jerome Seydoux-Pathe
Screening and exhibition rooms are situated in the building's lower floors. © Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Collection Fondation Jerome Seydoux-Pathe
The archives are sandwiched in the two floors in-between, at the building's heart. © Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Collection Fondation Jerome Seydoux-Pathe
-
‘Hedonistic and avant-garde’: Rabanne’s Julian Dossena on the legacy of the chainmail 1969 bag
Paco Rabanne’s 1969 chainmail handbag encapsulates the late designer’s futuristic, space-age style. Current creative director Julien Dossena tells Wallpaper* about the bag’s particular pleasures
By Jack Moss Published
-
Postcard from Paris: Olympic fever takes over the streets
On the eve of the opening ceremony of Paris 2024, our correspondent shares her views from the streets of the capital about how the event is impacting the urban landscape.
By Minako Norimatsu Published
-
The Mercury Prize nominees for 2024 have been revealed
Charli XCX, The Last Dinner Party and Beth Gibbons are amongst this year's nominees
By Charlotte Gunn Published
-
At Lee Ufan Arles, tension and calm guide relationships between space and art
Lee Ufan Arles opens in the south of France, a collaboration between the famed Korean artist and Japanese architect Tadao Ando
By Amah-Rose Mcknight Abrams Published
-
A new era: Centre Pompidou architects discuss their bold 2030 plans
Plans for the Centre Pompidou 2030 vision were recently announced, revealing a design refresh of the iconic Paris structure; we caught up with its lead architects Moreau Kusunoki to hear more
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
The Grand Paris Express, Europe’s largest urban design project, is en route to success
The Grand Paris Express is a system of new rapid transit lines across the French capital, with each station designed by a different architect – and it's currently under construction
By Amy Serafin Published
-
The Fondation Maeght in Provence digs deep for a spectacular gallery expansion
The Fondation Maeght, the first private art institution, turns 60 this year and celebrates with a glamorous extension to its Provence home
By Amy Serafin Published
-
Take an exclusive tour of La Main, LVMH Métiers d’Art’s new Parisian HQ
LVMH Métiers d’Art’s new Parisian HQ, La Main, brings together modern minimalism and historical charm in a building that celebrates craft
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
The new Krug winery in the Champagne heartland connects process and nature
AW2 Architects’ design for the Krug winery encapsulates the part rural, part urban landscape of the French winemaking region of Ambonnay
By Caragh McKay Published
-
Designer Holly Waterfield creates luxurious pied-à-terre in Renzo Piano Manhattan high-rise
A private residence by Holly Waterfield Interior Design in Renzo Piano's skyscraper 565 Broome Soho blends a sense of calm and cosiness with stunning city views
By Léa Teuscher Published
-
Grand Palais restoration in Paris through the lens of champion fencer Enzo Lefort
As Paris’ Grand Palais prepares to reopen following extensive restoration by Chatillon Architectes, we visit the site with champion fencer and photographer Enzo Lefort, who documented the space ahead of the Olympic Games 2024
By Ellie Stathaki Published