Detail View: Archivision Base to Module 9: Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie

Preferred Title: 
Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie
Alternate Title: 
Cité of Sciences and Industry (C.S.I.)
Image View: 
Close view of the museum
Creator: 
Adrien Fainsilber (French architect, born 1932); Bernard Tschumi (Swiss architect, born 1944)
Location: 
site: Paris, Île-de-France, France
Location Note: 
Park de la Villette; 30, avenue Corentin-Cariou
Date: 
1983-1986 (creation)
Cultural Context: 
French
Style Period: 
High-Tech; Modernist; Modern
Work Type 1: 
museum
Work Type 2: 
park (recreation area)
Classification: 
architecture
Material: 
steel; glass
Technique: 
construction (assembling)
Subjects: 
architectural exteriors; contemporary (1960 to present); engineering and industry; manufacturing
Description: 
The largest scientific museum in the world when built (and perhaps still) the C.S.I. utilizes a slaughterhouse complex [covering an area of 55 hectares (136 acres)] started in the 50's and interrupted before completion in the 70's. To metamorphose an industrial building meant for animals into a scientific cultural center for the public was the challenge the architects faced. The building's design was based on three themes: water, a pivotal theme linking the world and life, surrounds the main building; plant life has a place inside the Cité in three large bioclimatic greenhouses facing the park; light, "source of energy of the living world", brightens the permanent exhibition areas via two domes 17 metres in diameter. The Géode is a large geodesic dome containing a 1000 sq metre (10,764 sq ft) movie screen. In 1983 Tschumi won the international competition for the planning of the Parc de la Villette. (Source: Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie [website]; http://www.cite-sciences.fr/english/)
Collection: 
Archivision Base Collection
Identifier: 
1A1-FA-CS-A3
Rights: 
© Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc.