MÉNAGE À TROIS
Tomas Ghisellini Architects

MÉNAGE À TROIS

Ghisellini Architetti as Architects

The new (rediscovered) wings of the Hôtel de Galliffet


Mirror reflection: strategy of lightness


The new architectural wings of the Hôtel de Galliffet will be enigmatic and surprising appearances.


Logics of composition, materials and formal repertoire push the architectural bodies towards an expressive vocabulary for which the terms of lightness and permeability prevail.


The strategy of inclusion aims to give the new buildings a kind of perceptive dematerialization; this way proceeding the partial clogging of the courts will assume a character of agreement and co-operation rather than imposition.


The two architectural bodies openly cite the great Parisian architectures of transparency, made of steel and glass: precious facades just as a tissue of amber smoked glass protect spaces for which the direct visual relationship with the outside is to be a decisive added value.


Shading crystal "slabs", all dimensionally and formally identical throughout the facades, build up the impression of changing, mysterious and someway indecipherable objects. The glass elements, alternating in different depths and ledges, draw patterns and three-dimensional warps. The precise rigor of the design establishes a relationship of complementarity showing respect towards the existing historical presences.


The fast pace of vertical lines speaks a silent conversation with the seven-nineteenth-century facades; theories of line-balconies cite the beautiful Parisian railings; crystal elements reflect and multiply fronts and open spaces giving back the observer layered and particle images of a dream-like consistency.


By day, the buildings will absorb the skies and colors of Paris; At night, they will become amazing lanterns of soft light.


Italian excellence onstage!


The new wings of the Hôtel de Galliffet will be an expression of the millennial Italian excellence in glass and metal processing. Italians imported the Middle East most ancient techniques for the production and processing of glass, as well as the invention of crystal and the techniques for the production of glass in sheets and slabs.


The same can be said regarding the production and processing of steel (according to forms and compositions forerunners of modern structural steels), of which the Romans were already extraordinary performers.


The new buildings will stage this millennial Italian excellence by mixing it with the characters, colors and forms of expression of architecture in Paris. The result will be an interesting built blend, an urban scenario for which the cooperation between the two countries will take the form of an original and exciting public performance.


100% recyclable


The buildings, made with dry technology, will be entirely removable and reducible to their elementary components. The totality of structural and complementary elements in metal, internal partitions as well as all glass facade, can be reused if necessary. The constructions will be 100% recyclable.

Products Behind Projects
Product Spotlight
News
PLATO Gallery of Contemporary Art: Architecture finalist in Mies van der Rohe Awards 2024
29 Mar 2024 News
PLATO Gallery of Contemporary Art: Architecture finalist in Mies van der Rohe Awards 2024

In this Archello series, we look at each of the seven nominated projects (five architecture finalist... More

Detail: sliding panels of natural pine protect a residential complex from the Mallorcan sun
29 Mar 2024 Detail
Detail: sliding panels of natural pine protect a residential complex from the Mallorcan sun

Spanish architecture firm OHLAB has recently completed Paseo de Mallorca 15, a residential complex o... More

Snøhetta designs new extension for the world’s oldest ski museum in Oslo
28 Mar 2024 News
Snøhetta designs new extension for the world’s oldest ski museum in Oslo

Global transdisciplinary architecture and design practice Snøhetta has designed a new entranc... More

10 public buildings that demonstrate architectural applications of precast concrete
27 Mar 2024 Specification
10 public buildings that demonstrate architectural applications of precast concrete

Precast concrete is made by casting concrete in a reusable mold. These molds are made of various mat... More

Sameep Padora and Associates creates a flowing, organic art center in southern India
26 Mar 2024 News
Sameep Padora & Associates creates a flowing, organic art center in southern India

Mumbai-based Sameep Padora & Associates (sP+a) has completed Hampi Art Labs in Toranagallu, a vi... More

Introducing Partner Thermory AS
26 Mar 2024 Partner News
Introducing Partner Thermory AS

Thermory AS offers a diverse product range that includes durable exterior cladding, decking, interio... More

Brooklyn Tower by ShOP Architects showcases a unique materiality
25 Mar 2024 News
Brooklyn Tower by ShOP Architects showcases a unique materiality

Brooklyn Tower, standing an impressive ninety-three stories tall with a unique neo-deco crown, is al... More

Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright join Archello Awards 2024 jury
25 Mar 2024 Archello Awards
Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright join Archello Awards 2024 jury

Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright have been announced as Archello Awards 202... More