Pompidou Center, Arts and culture centre 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.
The building is shut for a renovation that began in 2025 and is scheduled to run until 2030, so the galleries and the escalators on the facade cannot be visited. The public library has moved to its Lumière building at 40 avenue des Terroirs de France. Works by the collection travel through the "Constellation" programme, with shows in Lille, Metz and Monaco.
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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