France's culture minister has revealed that the high-tech Centre Pompidou in Paris by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers will be closed from 2023 to undergo major renovations.
Speaking to French newspaper Le Figaro on Monday, culture minister Roselyne Bachelot said that the closure of the centre, which is one of Paris' top cultural buildings, was required in order to repair and replace its visibly ageing components.
The centre will close for restoration from 2023 and the repair works will continue until at least 2027.
Closure is quickest and cheapest option
The Centre Pompidou, known locally as the Beaubourg, is best known for its radical inside-out aesthetic, which sees its superstructure and mechanical services placed across its exterior.
Since its opening in 1977, it remains the largest museum for modern art in Europe. It is also home to a vast public library and used as a space for music and acoustic research. Above: the Centre Pompidou is best known for its inside-out aesthetic. Photo is by David Noble, courtesy of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSHP)
Today, however, many of the building's elements are in need of replacing, such as its heating and cooling system, escalators and elevators. It also contains asbestos that needs urgent removal.
Bachelot said that closing the venue was, therefore, the quickest and cheapest way to achieve this.
"There were two options on the table, one being to restore the centre while keeping it open, the other being full closure," ...