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Jean Nouvel's Bold Cartier Renovation

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"A site such as this one calls for boldness, courage that artists might not necessarily demonstrate in other institutional spaces. The Fondation Cartier will likely be the institution offering the greatest differentiation of its spaces."

— Jean Nouvel, Architect

Dateline: London, UK – 21st October, 2024

The new site, a historic Haussmannian building first constructed as the Grand Hôtel du Louvre in 1855 and later converted to the Louvre des Antiquaires in 1978, will undergo a significant transformation. The architect Jean Nouvel, who also designed Cartier’s previous location on Boulevard Raspail, aims to blend the building’s historic character with modern architectural elements. The exterior will retain its classical façade, while the interior will introduce a flexible layout, including five mobile platforms to create vertical spaces reaching up to 11 metres high​.

Spanning a total of 8,500 square metres, the new venue will include 6,500 square metres of exhibition space, as well as a library, auditorium, and restaurant. Expansive bay windows will frame views of Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Rue de Rivoli, and Place du Palais-Royal, providing new urban perspectives. The design aims to support artistic experimentation by allowing ‘flexible’ reconfiguration of the interior​.

View of Fondation Cartier construction, Place du Palais-Royal, Paris. Platform 1 rendering overlooking Rue de Rivoli. © Jean Nouvel / ADAGP, Paris, 2024.

Fondation Cartier’s Commitment to Artistic Freedom
Since its establishment in 1984, the Fondation Cartier has adhered to core principles that emphasise artistic freedom, and the separation of its activities from the commercial interests of Maison Cartier. The new building will continue this tradition, providing a versatile space encouraging different forms of expression, from painting and photography to architecture and fashion. Over the years, the Fondation has hosted more than 160 exhibitions, collaborating with established artists and emerging talents worldwide​.

As part of its 40th-anniversary celebrations, the Fondation plans to revisit its history through a series of events and exhibitions, showcasing key works from its collection. Approximately 4,500 artworks, by over 500 artists, have been collected since its inception. Notable pieces from artists like Ron Mueck, Sarah Sze, and Agnès Varda are set to be featured in future displays​.

 

Innovating Within a Historic Framework
The renovation, while embracing the building’s historical significance, will introduce novel exhibition capabilities. The five movable platforms, which span a total of 1,200 square metres, will allow the space to adapt to different artistic needs. This modularity aligns with Nouvel’s architectural philosophy, which prioritises creating spaces that challenge conventional exhibition practices, and encourages a dynamic interaction between the artwork and the setting​.

Alain Dominique Perrin, the President of Fondation Cartier, expressed optimism about the new site’s potential to draw significant visitor numbers, estimating around one million annual visitors due to its proximity to major attractions like the Louvre. This development aims to strengthen the Fondation’s influence in the cultural landscape while maintaining its focus on avant-garde art and architecture.

 

References
Perrin, A.D. (2024). ‘Not just the oldest, but the biggest’: Alain Dominique Perrin on what to expect from Fondation Cartier’s new gallery. The Art Newspaper.

Stathaki, E. (2024). Fondation Cartier unveils plans for new building. Wallpaper.

Nouvel, J. (2024). Fondation Cartier to open new headquarters in central Paris. METALOCUS.

 

Image Credit/s

The building housing the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain from 2025, located on Place du Palais-Royal in Paris, whose interior architecture is designed by Jean Nouvel. Photographer · Luc Boegly

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