Centre Pomp dou

DigDesFab 2011

Centre Pompidou Analysis

Construction: 1972 -1977

150 million visitors
French National Museum of Modern Art
Public library
Center for music and acoustic research (IRCAM)
Area: 100.000 m2
Levels: 7
Height: 42m
Length: 166m
Width: 60m

DigDesFab 2011

Centre Pompidou Analysis

"An architectural and urban comp lex which will mark our century.
G eorges P ompidou

DigDesFab 2011

Centre Pompidou Analysis

Renzo Piano

Richard Rogers

Aims: To achieve a large degree of

flexibility, freedom of movement ,
and an open approach to all
exhibition areas and levels.

DigDesFab 2011

Centre Pompidou Analysis

Supporting structures

Air
Fluids
Electricity cables
Movement

DigDesFab 2011

Centre Pompidou Analysis

Peter Rice developed the structural

concept for the facades, with a system
that hinged on six elegantly tapered cast
steel rocker beams known as
gerberettes.

DigDesFab 2011

Center Pompidou Analysis

The components and connections are of a scale rarely

seen in the construction industry- massive steel
elements were fabricated in off- site foundries and
delivered by truck to the site during the night.

DigDesFab 2011

Centre Pompidou Analysis

One end of each gerberette is connected to an

outer tension column, while the other supports
a steel lattice beam. The stability of the
building is achieved through diagonal bracing in
the long facades and by stabilised end frames.

The superstructure consists of thirteen bays, six

floors high, constructed of 16,000 tons of cast
and prefabricated steel with reinforced concrete
floor sections. The two main structural support
planes comprise a series of 800mm (31.5 inch)
diameter spun steel hollow columns, each of
which supports six gerberettes, or brackets.

DigDesFab 2011

Centre Pompidou Analysis

The building was envisaged as

a cross between 'an
information-oriented
computerised Times Square
and the British Museum' , a
democratic place for all
people, all ages and all creeds,
simultaneously instant and
solemn, and the centrepiece of
a regenerated quarter of the
city.
The decision to place structure
and services on the exterior
was driven primarily by the
need for internal flexibility, the
scheme provided huge
expanses of uninterrupted
space on open floors nearly 50
metres deep.
DigDesFab 2011

Centre Pompidou Analysis

External services give scale and detail to the

facades, while the celebration of movement and
access is provided by lifts and escalators which,
like the services, are placed outside the building
envelope.

DigDesFab 2011

Centre Pompidou Analysis

DigDesFab 2011

Centre Pompidou Analysis

DigDesFab 2011

Centre Pompidou Analysis