Arab World Institute
Encyclopedia
The Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) or Arab World Institute (AWI), in English, was established in 1980 in Paris
, when 18 Arab
countries concluded an agreement with France
to establish the Institute to disseminate information about the Arab world and set in motion detailed research to cover Arabic and the Arab world's cultural and spiritual values. The Institute also aims at promoting cooperation and cultural exchanges between France and the Arab world, particularly in the areas of science
and technology
, thus contributing to development of relations between the Arab world and Europe
. Libya
joined the agreement in 1984.
, together with Architecture-Studio
, won the 1981 design competition
with a project that proposed risk-taking solutions that, over the course of the years, have proven themselves.
The building acts as a buffer zone between the Jussieu Campus
, in large rationalist blocks, and the Seine
. The river facade follows the curve of the waterway and helps reduce the hardness of a rectangular block, adapting itself to the view from the Sully Bridge. At the same time the building also appears to fold itself back in the direction of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés
district.
In contrast, the opposite facade is uncompromisingly rectangular. Facing it is a large square public space that opens out toward the Île de la Cité
and Notre Dame
. Above the glass-clad storefront, a metallic screen unfolds with moving geometric motifs. The motifs are actually 240 motor-controlled apertures, which open and close every hour. They act as brise soleil
to control the light entering the building. The mechanism creates interior spaces with filtered light — an effect often used in Islamic architecture
with its climate-oriented strategies. This building catapulted Nouvel to fame and is one of the cultural reference points of Paris. It is also noted for receiving the Aga Khan Award for Architecture
.
The building houses a museum, library, auditorium, restaurant, and offices.
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, when 18 Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
countries concluded an agreement with France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
to establish the Institute to disseminate information about the Arab world and set in motion detailed research to cover Arabic and the Arab world's cultural and spiritual values. The Institute also aims at promoting cooperation and cultural exchanges between France and the Arab world, particularly in the areas of science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
and technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
, thus contributing to development of relations between the Arab world and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
joined the agreement in 1984.
Architectural features of the AWI building
The AWI is located in the building also known as Institut du Monde Arabe, on Rue des Fossés Saint Bernard in Paris, France, constructed from 1981 to 1987 with a floor space of 181850 square feet (16,894.4 m²). Jean NouvelJean Nouvel
Jean Nouvel is a French architect. Nouvel studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and was a founding member of Mars 1976 and Syndicat de l'Architecture...
, together with Architecture-Studio
Architecture-Studio
Architecture-Studio is a French Architect's office created in 1973 in Paris.The Seat of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the Arab World Institute in Paris , the church Notre-Dame-de-l'Arche-d'Alliance in Paris are through the best known realisation of the Architecture-Studio.-Associates:*...
, won the 1981 design competition
Architectural design competition
An architectural design competition is a special type of competition in which an organization or government body that plans to build a new building asks for architects to submit a proposed design for a building. The winning design is usually chosen by an independent panel of design professionals...
with a project that proposed risk-taking solutions that, over the course of the years, have proven themselves.
The building acts as a buffer zone between the Jussieu Campus
Jussieu Campus
The Jussieu Campus is a higher education campus located in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, France, which is the main campus of the Pierre and Marie Curie University ....
, in large rationalist blocks, and the Seine
Seine
The Seine is a -long river and an important commercial waterway within the Paris Basin in the north of France. It rises at Saint-Seine near Dijon in northeastern France in the Langres plateau, flowing through Paris and into the English Channel at Le Havre . It is navigable by ocean-going vessels...
. The river facade follows the curve of the waterway and helps reduce the hardness of a rectangular block, adapting itself to the view from the Sully Bridge. At the same time the building also appears to fold itself back in the direction of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Saint-Germain-des-Prés is an area of the 6th arrondissement of Paris, France, located around the church of the former Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés....
district.
In contrast, the opposite facade is uncompromisingly rectangular. Facing it is a large square public space that opens out toward the Île de la Cité
Île de la Cité
The Île de la Cité is one of two remaining natural islands in the Seine within the city of Paris . It is the centre of Paris and the location where the medieval city was refounded....
and Notre Dame
Notre Dame de Paris
Notre Dame de Paris , also known as Notre Dame Cathedral, is a Gothic, Roman Catholic cathedral on the eastern half of the Île de la Cité in the fourth arrondissement of Paris, France. It is the cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Paris: that is, it is the church that contains the cathedra of...
. Above the glass-clad storefront, a metallic screen unfolds with moving geometric motifs. The motifs are actually 240 motor-controlled apertures, which open and close every hour. They act as brise soleil
Brise soleil
Brise soleil, sometimes brise-soleil , from French, "sun breaker"), in architecture refers to a variety of permanent sun-shading techniques, ranging from the simple patterned concrete walls popularized by Le Corbusier to the elaborate wing-like mechanism devised by Santiago Calatrava for the...
to control the light entering the building. The mechanism creates interior spaces with filtered light — an effect often used in Islamic architecture
Islamic architecture
Islamic architecture encompasses a wide range of both secular and religious styles from the foundation of Islam to the present day, influencing the design and construction of buildings and structures in Islamic culture....
with its climate-oriented strategies. This building catapulted Nouvel to fame and is one of the cultural reference points of Paris. It is also noted for receiving the Aga Khan Award for Architecture
Aga Khan Award for Architecture
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture is an architectural prize established by Aga Khan IV in 1977. It aims to identify and reward architectural concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of Islamic societies in the fields of contemporary design, social housing, community...
.
The building houses a museum, library, auditorium, restaurant, and offices.
Presidents of the AWI
- Edgard Pisani (1988-1995)
- Camille Cabana (1995-2002)
- Denis Bauchard (2002-2004)
- Rachid Ben Khélil (1987-2008)
- Yves Guéna (2004-2007)
- Dominique BaudisDominique BaudisDominique Baudis is the French ombudsman. Formerly a journalist, politician and Mayor of Toulouse, he had been a member of DL and later of the leading centre-right Union for a Popular Movement....
(2007- )
External links
- Arab World Institute (in English)
- Institut du Monde Arabe (in French)