Grande Arche, Triumphal arch in La Défense business district, France.
Grande Arche is a 110-metre open cube in Puteaux, west of Paris, its pale gridded outer faces pierced by a central void lined with square panels. A prestressed concrete frame carries glass and Bethel granite cladding, and a tensile-membrane sunshade called the Cloud hangs inside the opening. The structure stands on a base with fountains and is turned 6.33° from the historical axis.
In 1982 François Mitterrand launched an international competition for a monument at the head of the axe historique; from 424 anonymous entries the jury chose Danish architect Johan Otto von Spreckelsen's open cube, selected on 25 May 1983. Work began in 1985 under Bouygues with engineer Erik Reitzel. Spreckelsen resigned in July 1986 after the CICOM programme was cancelled, and died of cancer months later; Paul Andreu took over and the Arche was inaugurated on 14 July 1989.
The monument was first named Grande Arche de la Fraternité, and its winning design was chosen from 424 anonymous entries in a 1982 international competition. Spreckelsen described his open cube as a window on the world and a modern triumphal arch to the glory of humanity. The roof houses an exhibition area dedicated to photojournalism.
The monument stands at the western end of the axe historique in Puteaux, reached by metro line 1 or RER A to La Défense station. The roof terrace, with its panoramic view, restaurant and photojournalism exhibition area, reopened in 2017 after seven years of renovation. The esplanade below is open and free, and the 6.33° turn of the cube is easiest to see by walking around the base.
The entire structure stands at a tilt of roughly six degrees from the historical axis to avoid disturbing the tunnels and infrastructure below the plaza. This slight rotation is barely noticeable to the eye but made construction possible at this location.
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