Paris Internationale is an international art fair driven by a mindset of independence, collaboration, and partnerships, that displays contemporary art at different locations each year. For the eighth edition, The architectural intervention by Christ & Gantenbein for Paris Internationale takes an approach that merges contextuality with radicality through minimal means, ensuring exhibitors and visitors a unique experience.
This latest event took place in one of Paris’ first glazed-facade buildings. After being transformed in the 1990s, the 3000 m2 building had been abandoned during the pandemic. Interior infrastructure was removed, leaving a skeletal framework and seemingly limitless design potential.
Known for their expertise in creating spaces for art and culture, C&G customized the design in response to the condition building as they found it, leaving interiors largely unfinished and raw.
With an area of nearly 3000 m2, the building could be considered urban in its scale. In line with this, the designers drew from Hausmannian principles in forming a radical system of neon lights and plasterboard clad temporary to subtly guide visitors in a meandering way that is a departure from the typically orthogonal organization of an exhibition or trade fair.
Alongside the exhibition spaces, a lobby and a café are furnished with custom-made objects designed by C&G. The programme is further enhanced by cafes, a book store, a pop-up restaurant, and outdoor space.
This work follows other major completed projects from C&G including the Swiss National Museum in Zurich and the extension of the Kunstmuseum Basel. Current projects include the extension of the Wallraf-Richartz Museum in Cologne, the extension of the MACBA in Barcelona, and the Kunstmuseum Main Building Renovation in Basel.
