While I was in Paris last week I revisited the Institut du Monde Arabe built in the mid 80s. It was built in partnership with Architecture Studio a group of seven architects founded in 1973.
Although Jean Nouvel has built other impressive buildings in Paris (notably the Foundation Cartier and more recently the Musée du Quai Branly) I think the Institut du Monde Arabe is still his best structure.
The facade is a huge wall of Islamic patterned mechanised metal irises which can be closed to prevent light coming in.
Inside on the ground floor is a very stylish café where you can get a pricey but very good mint tea and choose from an array of arabic cakes.
My selection came with what was actually a layer of uncooked meringue, sprinkled with chopped pistachio nuts!
Although Jean Nouvel has built other impressive buildings in Paris (notably the Foundation Cartier and more recently the Musée du Quai Branly) I think the Institut du Monde Arabe is still his best structure.
The facade is a huge wall of Islamic patterned mechanised metal irises which can be closed to prevent light coming in.
Inside on the ground floor is a very stylish café where you can get a pricey but very good mint tea and choose from an array of arabic cakes.
My selection came with what was actually a layer of uncooked meringue, sprinkled with chopped pistachio nuts!
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