Musical City on the Parisian Island of Île Seguin by Shigeru Ban

In mid-June, the results of the international architectural competition for the new concert hall complex 'Cité musicale' located in the middle of the Seine River on Seguin Island in the southwest of Paris were announced. The winner was the Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, who invited the local studio Jean de Gastines Architectes to collaborate.
Seguin Island has undergone several transformations throughout history, from the Renault factory, which ceased car production here in 2005, to grand plans to convert the area into a museum island for the private foundation of François Pinault, for which projects were prepared by Jean Nouvel and Tadao Ando. The new plan to create a concert complex on the island covering over 36,000 square meters is expected to be completed by 2016. Ban's project includes a multipurpose concert hall for 6,000 spectators and a smaller hall for classical music with 1,140 seats. In addition, the area will feature rehearsal rooms, teaching and recording spaces, restaurants, shops, accommodation for musicians, and extensive park landscaping. A transparent roofing made of wood will provide a well-lit sheltered microclimate in the foyer. Conversely, at night, the dome will illuminate and create a unique lantern above the island.

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