Pierresvives, Administrative building in Montpellier, France.
Pierresvives is a modern administrative building in Montpellier distinguished by flowing lines and overlapping geometric forms. The structure extends roughly 195 meters in length and reaches about 24 meters high, with thousands of prefabricated concrete elements and extensive glass surfaces creating its distinctive appearance.
The Department of Hérault commissioned architect Zaha Hadid to design this building, which opened in 2012. This structure became an important example of contemporary architecture in the city's urban landscape.
The building brings together three public institutions under one roof: the departmental archives, a multimedia library, and the sports department of Hérault. These three services share the space and serve the community's information, cultural, and administrative needs.
The building can be viewed from outside and features separate entrances for each of the three institutions housed inside. Visitors can admire the exterior design and architecture from the surrounding area, with each institutional section accessible through its own dedicated entry point.
The building's form resembles a horizontal tree trunk with branches extending upward, with each branch serving as a separate access point for different sections. This organic design approach creates surprising visual movement in an otherwise technical urban setting.
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