As the iconic Centre Pompidou in Paris prepares for its 2030 renovation, the architectural duo of Moreau Kusunoki and Frida Escobedo have been selected to lead the project. The collaboration between the Paris-based firm and the renowned Mexican architect promises to breathe new life into the complex while preserving its unique DNA.
Designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, the Centre Pompidou has been a beacon of contemporary art and culture since its inception. The upcoming renovation, set for completion in 2030, aims to revitalize the complex for modern use while maintaining an eco-responsible approach. Moreau Kusunoki and Frida Escobedo’s winning proposal focuses on creating physical and visual porosities, ensuring fluid circulation, activating underutilized spaces, and respecting the existing context.
The Piazza, a fundamental point of welcome for the Centre Pompidou, will undergo a transformation to ensure seamless integration into the urban fabric. By energizing underutilized areas on both sides, the architects aim to encourage spontaneous expressions of urban countercultures, inviting performers, dancers, street artists, and poets to engage with the space, echoing the spirit of the Centre Pompidou in its early days.
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Atelier Brancusi, an integral part of the complex, will be rehabilitated to host the research and resource centre. The renovation will enhance visual and physical porosities by providing new access points and extending the garden to the northeast. Inside the Forum, the heart of the Centre Pompidou, Moreau Kusunoki and Frida Escobedo aim to maintain its organic and fluid character while promoting clear, intuitive orientation. A new volume spanning three levels will create greater space for social exchanges and events.
The Agora, located beneath the Piazza, will bring together concert halls, conference rooms, and cinemas. A free area at its center will feature four versatile ‘boxes’ that can be configured for various purposes, from exhibitions to live shows. The New Generation Pole, an intergenerational space dedicated to artistic practice and recreation, will be characterized by transparency and flexibility, encouraging exploration and gathering.
The Public Information Library will undergo a playful architectural transformation, inspiring a joyful and contemporary appropriation of spaces for diverse users. The reception, accessible from the second level, will serve as another Forum, a flexible space dialoguing with the library’s social and urban nature. Small modules throughout the library will invite gathering and exchange, accommodating different exhibition, consultation, or information devices.
Moreau Kusunoki and Frida Escobedo’s vision for the Centre Pompidou’s 2030 renovation celebrates the complex’s iconic status while ushering it into a new era of eco-responsibility, accessibility, and cultural vibrancy. As the project unfolds, the architectural duo’s innovative approach promises to redefine the Centre Pompidou’s relationship with the city and its visitors, cementing its position as a global hub for contemporary art and culture.
