BIG wins competition for museum of the human body

BIG to build ‘museum of the human body’ in montpellier, france
image © BIG + MIR
all images courtesy of BIG

BIG + A+ architecture + egis + base + l’echo + celsius environnement + CCVH have been announced winner of the international design competition for the new ‘cité du corps humain (museum of the human body)’ in montpellier, france. part of a newly developed park, the 7,800 square meter proposal seeks to merge the region’s green space with the city, connecting nature and architecture through its design. the project will explore the human body through a variety of different approaches including interactive exhibitions and public performances.

7,800 square meter proposal is sited in a park in montpellier
image © BIG

the program comprises eight organically shaped elevated spaces which create a continuous circulation route above the scheme’s internal volumes. forming the roof of the museum, this area allows guests to express their bodies in a range of ways from relaxing in the lush vegetation to exercising in the center’s grounds.

the transparent vertical skin controls daylight and links the in and outdoors
image © BIG

internally, the scheme’s transparent skin allows a controlled amount of daylight to permeate exhibition spaces, and also establishes a strong visual relationship with the surrounding environment. the elevation’s shading systems, which resemble the patterns of a human fingerprint, constantly move and adapt throughout the day, with louvers protecting the building from strong sunlight.

(left): the museum rises from the ground with a gentle sloping walkway
(right): landscape and construction interlock
images © BIG + MIR

‘like the mixture of two incompatible substances – oil and vinegar – the urban pavement and the parks turf flow together in a mutual embrace forming terraced pockets overlooking the park and elevating islands of nature above the city. a series of seemingly singular pavilions that weave together to form a unified institution – like individual fingers united together in a mutual grip‘, explains bjarke ingels.

BIG to build museum of the human body in montpellier, france
image © BIG

the judging panel, led by montpellier’s major, ms hélène mandroux, praised the design for its integration of environmental and functional attributes, which will actively contribute towards the city’s cultural background. construction of the ‘museum of the human body’ is expected to start in 2016, with a public opening scheduled for 2018.

BIG to build museum of the human body in montpellier, france
image © BIG

BIG to build museum of the human body in montpellier, france
image © BIG

BIG to build museum of the human body in montpellier, france
image © BIG

BIG to build museum of the human body in montpellier, france
image © BIG

BIG to build museum of the human body in montpellier, france
image © BIG

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project info:

partners in charge: bjarke ingels, andreas klok pedersen project leader: gabrielle nadeau project manager: jakob sand

team: birk daugaard, chris falla, alexandra lukianova, oscar abrahamsson, katerina joannides, aleksander wadas, marie lançon, danae charatsi, alexander ejsing.

client: ville de montpellier

collaborators:

local architect: A+ architecture 

structural + mep engineers: egis bâtiment méditerranée 

landscape architect: base

financial consultant: l’echo

sustainability consultant: celsius environnement 

acoustic consultant: cabinet conseil vincent hedon