Paris' Bourse de commerce : Tadao Ando’s project for the Pinault Collection

Located at the edge of Les Halles district, the Bourse de commerce has been a part of the capital city’s heritage since the mid 18th century. After the circular building, which is also topped by an impressive dome, fell into disrepair, Japanese architect Tadao Ando, who also renovated the Palazzo Grassi in Venice, sparked a cultural renaissance at the site following two years of extensive renovations.

Tadao Ando customises the Bourse de commerce of Paris

While the property is still owned by the City of Paris, it has been conceded for a fifty-year period to the Pinault Collection. Beneath the building’s glass dome, the businessman will showcase a portion of his treasure trove of modern art. Monumental pieces such as the « Giants » by Schütte/Houseago and the « Glass Wells » by Roni Horn will be installed beneath the expansive rotunda, which has been emptied to create room for a cylinder made of white concrete.

Behind the scaffolding, the renovated murals are already visible. © DR

The pure-white concrete cylinder within the rotunda will include an atrium in its centre. © DR

Exhibitions and a restaurant

Within the 3 000 m² of exhibition space set to open in the spring of 2020, the structure will also include a 288-seat auditorium and a restaurant entitled « Halle aux Grains ». The name pays homage to the building’s initial purpose as a wheat exchange. The kitchen will be headed up by Michel and Sébastien Bras, and no one doubts that the Aubrac-native chefs will be able to satisfy even the most discerning of fine dining aficionados.

The passageways that will be added to the structure will allow visitors to walk around the entire building to better admire the paintings within the cupola. DR