Profile

Grand Louvre — Phase II

Paris, France
Completed 1993
Phase I completed 1989

Conversion of government offices into exhibition galleries and related projects
 

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Conversion of the Richelieu Wing from offices of the Ministry of Finance into exhibition space constitutes the critical second stage of the Grand Louvre. Only by incorporating this nineteenth-century wing could the project goals be fully realized.

Unlike Phase I, which involved the construction of a new underground building, Phase II required the creation of new space within an historic shell. Work included the cleaning and restoration of façades and exterior sculpture, conversion of three interior courtyards (previously staff parking lots) into skylit sculpture courts, and demolition of 12 acres of dingy government offices compressed into 6+ floors. With the exception of several historic rooms, the interior was totally rebuilt to accord with the three-level palace exterior. Sculpture was installed on the bottom level for maximum support, Decorative Arts in the middle, and at the top, painting galleries with innovative skylights designed for optimal viewing of the collection. A grand escalator court facilitates access to all levels, merging old and new and better equipping the Louvre for its preeminent role as a modern museum.

Beyond conversion of the Richelieu Wing, Phase II included the underground mixed-use complex known as the Carrousel du Louvre, the Pyramide Inversée that brings light into its center, the connected underground parking garage, and a series of related surface projects designed to actively reclaim the Louvre as a vital pedestrian precinct in the heart of Paris.

Major Components

Richelieu Wing
21,500m² public areas; 17,500m² permanent exhibition; 2,200m² reception/circulation including escalator court; 1,600m² information; 240m² temporary exhibition; 10,850m² non-public / technical; Basement: 1,250m² Islamic Art in 13 rooms; 275m² Exposition-Dossier; Ground Floor: French Sculpture: 2,150m² Cour Marly; 6,135m² Court Puget; 1,800m² exhibition space in 33 rooms; Eastern Antiquities: 520m² Cour Khorsabad; 2,290 exhibition space in 10 rooms; Second Floor: Decorative Arts: 3,990m ² exhibition space in 33 rooms; 900m² Apartments of Napoleon III (11 rooms); Top Floor: Paintings: 4,475m² exhibition space in 58 rooms; 670 m² Salle Rubens

Related projects designed and executed by IMP&P/PCF&P: 8.9m Pyramide Inversée; 22,000m² Rond Point Carrousel; 10,400m² Terrasse Tuileries; 5,525m² Abords du Palais

Related projects designed by IMP&P/PCF&P and executed by others: 30,000m ² underground garage for 80 tour buses and 800 cars; 55,000m² Carrousel du Louvre including retail, restaurants, found court, 1,100m² amphitheater (600 seats); 3,000m² laboratories

I. M. Pei & Partners services

Master Planning; Architectural Design and Interiors in association with French architects; coordination with associate architect on construction documents and construction administration

Associate Architect

Agence Macary, Paris;
Agence Wilmotte, Paris;
Agence Nicot, Paris

Daylight Studies, Painting Galleries; Skylights, Courts

Ove Arup International, London

Skylights, Galleries

RFR, Paris

Structural

Sogelerg S.A., Paris

Mechanical / Security

Serete S.A., Paris

Lighting

Claude R. Engle, Washington, D.C., and Observatorie, Paris

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