zaha hadid: chanel mobile art pavilion paris

‘mobile art pavilion’ by zaha hadid, paris, franceimage © francois lacour, courtesy of institut du monde arabe

zaha hadid’s mobile art pavilion has found its permanent home outside of the institute du monde arabe in paris after a world tour – inclusive of new york, tokyo and hong kong – that began in 2008. donated to the institute by chanel, the unit will aid in the development of broader cultural programs at the center and will host exhibitions that showcase the talent of designers, artists and architects from arab countries.

conceived through a system of natural organization, the structure is shaped by both functional and conceptual considerations. fluid geometries and organic lines compose a continuum of fluent and dynamic spaces, where oppositions between light and dark, interior and exterior and natural and artificial are manufactured. undulating surfaces and flowing volumes converge, constantly redefining the quality and experience of each exhibition space, while guiding movement throughout.

entrance image © designboom

distorted and contoured, the unit is an expression of the integration between sculpted lines and formal logic. derived from new digital modeling tools, the low spiraling pavilion contrasts the order and repetition evident in jean nouvel’s nearby  building.

exterior elevation image © designboom

detail of exterior cladding image © designboom

exterior entrance image © designboom

entrance image © designboom

coat closet image © designboom

ceiling detail image © designboom

entrance image © designboom

lobby image © designboom

wall detail image © designboom

view towards lobby image © francois lacour, courtesy of institut du monde arabe

detail of area divider image © francois lacour, courtesy of institut du monde arabe

exhibition space image © designboom

bench in exhibition space image © designboom

ramp image © designboom

physical model image © designboom

physical model image © designboom

floor plan image courtesy of zaha hadid architects

aerial view at night image © francois lacour, courtesy of institut du monde arabe

night view image © francois lacour, courtesy of institut du monde arabe