Unusual Architecture + Frank Gehry

Parigi, Francia: [FONDATION LOUIS-VUITTON POUR LA CRÉATION BY FRANK GEHRY]
Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création by Frank

In October 2006, Louis Vuitton unveiled plans for "Louis Vuitton Foundation for Creation," whose ambition is "to showcase art and France to the world."

Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création by Frank

Located in the Sixteenth Arrondissement of Paris, on the edge of the zoo, the museum is designed by architect Frank Gehry with STUDIOS acting as architect of record.

Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création by Frank

Frank Gehry has referred to his design for the Louis Vuitton Foundation for Creation, a new home for the contemporary art collection of LVMH mogul Bernard Arnaud, as “a veritable ship amongst trees.”

Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création by Frank

A hovering glass carapace will enshroud the museum, models of the design show the sails parting at various points to reveal concrete “icebergs” that form the building’s core.

Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création by Frank

Currently in construction phase, the project has been identified as a pilot for the adaptation of standard NF Tertiary buildings / HQE ® approach to cultural buildings.

Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création by Frank

The Foundation’s concrete facade will require 16,000 exterior wall panels, each with its own geometry to match the curves of the nearly 97,000-square-foot glass facade.

Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création by Frank

Because producing each panel individually was technically and financially unfeasible, Lafarge partnered with Cogitech and project management consortium RFR/TESS to develop a unique vacuum-casting process.

Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création by Frank

The technology combines a flexible mold that can take on any curvature determined by a 3-D model with a master polystyrene template machined to the desired panel geometry.

Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création by Frank

Using the MSV process, Bonna Sabla produced several prototypes, ultimately manufacturing 400 panels with identical dimensions, but completely unique curvatures, that were installed in a full-scale first run model at the building site in September 2010.

Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création by Frank

Because no two are alike, they are cast with a number and a radio frequency ID chip to ensure each can be traced throughout the installation process, which began this spring, and for maintenance in the future. In September 2014, the museum will be open to the public.

Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création by Frank
Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création by Frank
Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création by Frank
Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création by Frank
Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création by Frank
Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création by Frank
Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création by Frank
Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création by Frank
Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création by Frank
Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création by Frank
Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création by Frank
Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création by Frank

Location: Paris. France Archiect: Frank Gehry Fabricators: Lafarge Ductal, Cogitech Design, Bonna Sabla Area: 130,000 square-foot Year: 2014 Client: Fondation Louis-Vuitton Photo: Fondation Louis-Vuitton pour la création