MIT Libraries homeDome

Tower of Books, depicting pattern in curtain wall; Design team: Jean Nouvel, Pierre Soria, Gilbert Lezenes, of Architecture Studio, Architects. Houses a Franco-Arabian 'World' Institute representing 19 countries. Its purpose is to foster knowledge of Arab world culture by the exchange of information on the arts, sciences and modern technologies. It incorporates some well-lit exhibition areas, a museum, library, a 300-seat hall and a restaurant, as well as offices and car parking. "Nouvel won the competition (1980) for the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, his first important work. Constructed in 1981-1987 on a sensitive site adjacent to Notre-Dame, the building has a complex design in two distinct parts: a curved block following the line of the River Seine and a rectangular block maintaining the street frontage. The entire south wall is covered with small steel irises electronically controlled to respond to ambient light conditions, recalling the carved wooden screens (masharabiyya) of traditional Islamic architecture, while the hypostyle hall and spiral library tower are deliberately archaic in form." Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.groveart.com/ (accessed 12/2/2007)