Centre Georges Pompidou, National art museum in Saint-Merri, Paris, France
The Centre Georges Pompidou is a national art museum in Saint-Merri, Paris, defined by its technical architecture with external pipe systems. The colored conduits run along the facade and leave the interior free for exhibition spaces and public areas.
The French president commissioned the construction of this cultural center in 1969, which was completed by 1977 following designs by architects Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano. The project transformed the old district and created a new space for contemporary art in the city.
The building carries the name of the French president who initiated it, and Parisians often call it simply Beaubourg. Its open plaza in front attracts street performers and visitors who gather on the steps and watch urban life unfold around them.
Access is through a long escalator on the outside that runs diagonally upward and offers a view over the rooftops. The center is open most days of the week, with a rest day on Tuesday.
The air conditioning is marked with blue pipes, while water lines appear in green and electrical cables run in yellow. Safety systems can be identified by the red lines that remain visible along the entire length.
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