Why the Centre Pompidou, not even 50 years old, must close for five years

The idea of losing a lung is far from comforting. Even if you are told it is the only way to save the rest of your body, you would likely be inclined, if such an operation were ever recommended, to resist or try to negotiate. The reactions to the announcements made by Laurent Le Bon, the president of the Centre Pompidou, throughout 2023 – that the building by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers would close for major renovations for five years – could be interpreted in the same way. The strike involving staff, the opinion pieces and petitions signed by figures from the cultural world, the grievances voiced by local residents, neighborhood shopkeepers, art lovers and other regular visitors were all attempts to ensure that this extraordinary engine of urban energy could continue operating − at least partially − during the renovation.
The prospect of its closure has been all the harder to accept given that this icon of 20 th -century architecture is not even 50 years old. Parisians still remember the renovation work in the late 1990s that already deprived them of access for two years, and the expected duration of the new project now seems somewhat excessive.
The entire problem with architecture from the second half of the 20 th century (and the decades that have followed) lies in these assumptions. In reality, according to Boris Hamzeian, architectural historian and author of Centre Pompidou. Le défi du Total Design ("Centre Pompidou and the Challenge of Total Design," 2024), "for a building from that era, 50 years is already quite old."; the materials of the modern era are less durable than those of the past. But the structure of the Centre Pompidou was designed to accommodate this, and even more, to ensure – as President Pompidou requested of the young competition winners in 1971 – that the building would "last 500 years." This lightweight, entirely metal structure, to which all of the building's technical systems are attached, embodies the principle of flexibility at the core of the project and guarantees its durability: namely, the possibility of replacing elements and reorganizing them as needed. In fact, since its opening in 1977, the space has been in constant transformation.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Forbes

3 minutes ago

• Forbes

Angel Studios' ‘The Last Rodeo' Gets Digital Streaming Date

Neal O'Donough and Mykelti Williamson in "The Last Rodeo." The Last Rodeo, a faith-based drama starring Neal McDonough, is coming soon to digital streaming. Find out when and where you can watch the movie at home. Rated PG, The Last Rodeo opened in theaters on May 23. The official summary for the film reads, 'A retired rodeo legend risks it all to save his grandson. Facing his own painful past and the fears of his family, he enters a high-stakes bull-riding competition as the oldest contestant ever. 'Along the way, he reconciles old wounds with his estranged daughter and proves that true courage is found in the fight for family.' Produced by Angel Studios (The King of Kings, Homestead), The Last Rodeo also stars Sarah Jones (For All Mankind), Mykelti Williamson (Forrest Gump, Heat) and Christopher McDonald (Happy Gilmore, Happy Gilmore 2) Graham Harvey and Ruvé McDonough — who produced the film with her husband, Neal McDonough. The Last Rodeo will be released on digital streaming via premium video on demand on Tuesday, July 15, as confirmed by a new listing on Apple TV. The film is currently up for pre-order for $19.99, which is also the film's purchase price. Since digital rentals are typically $5 less than purchase prices, viewers can expect to rent The Last Rodeo for $14.99. As of this publication, Apple TV is the only platform offering The Last Rodeo on PVOD. It is worth noting, however, that Angel Studios' faith-based hit The King of Kings only debuted on PVOD on Apple TV and Fandango at Home. How Did Audiences And Critics Receive 'The Last Rodeo'? The Last Rodeo has earned $14.6 million to date in North American theaters. The film had an estimated production budget of $8.5 million before prints and advertising, per IMDb. The Last Rodeo earned a 68% 'fresh' score from Rotten Tomatoes critics based on 37 reviews. The film also earned a 95% 'fresh' Popcornmeter score based on 1,000-plus verified user ratings. The RT audience summary for The Last Rodeo reads, 'With a punchy Neal McDonough on the saddle, The Last Rodeo is a wholesome ride for the entire herd.' The Last Rodeo arrives on PVOD on Apple TV on July 15.

Indian Express

3 minutes ago

• Indian Express

Hockey: Deepika scores again but India's relegation woes deepen after 5-1 thrashing by Belgium

It is getting tougher for the Indian women's hockey team in their quest to avoid relegation from the FIH Pro League as they were blown away by a second-half set-piece masterclass by Belgium on Saturday in Antwerp. In a battle of the last two teams who finished fourth at the Olympic Games, the current gulf in class became evident as the match went on as India, despite holding a 1-0 lead at half time, had no answers to the relentless pressure from Belgium after the restart, conceding a plethora of penalty corners. The hosts won a total of 16 penalty corners and 1 penalty stroke, and all of their second half goals came from those set-piece situations. But it was Deepika (6') who had given India the lead with a drag flick of her own, continuing her fine form off penalty corners, in what is perhaps the biggest positive to emerge from the European leg of the Pro League for India so far. Belgium had the better chances in the first half anyway but were guilty of not converting. That would all change as Hélène Brasseur (37', 55'), Lucie Breyne (41'), Ambre Ballenghien (54'), and Charlotte Englebert (58') sealed victory for the hosts. The result has seen India drop to the 8th spot on the table with 10 points from their 13 matches, above only England who also lost on the day against Spain to give coach Harendra Singh's team some breathing room. But with Germany thrashing Australia 4-0 and moving up the table, it is heading toward a clear two-way battle between India and England to avoid the wooden spoon. India endured a nervy start as Belgium came out pressing with intent, earning a penalty corner within the opening minute. The early scare was averted, and Savita Punia soon followed up with a sharp save to keep the scoreboard untouched. An unforced error in India's half, as Vaishnavi Phalke completely mis-hit an aerial clearance, gifted Belgium possession again. But she made up for the error to tackle the forward in time and prevent a soft goal. Sitting deep and absorbing waves of pressure, India waited patiently for their chance on the break. When it came, they made it count. Their first circle entry resulted in a penalty corner, and Deepika's shot took a deflection off a Belgian defender before finding the back of the net to put India ahead. But it all unravelled in the second half, especially in the third quarter, when India conceded 8 penalty corners. Belgium entered the third quarter having made 10 circle entries to India's four, maintaining steady pressure on the defence. It took five penalty corners before Brasseur finally converted to bring Belgium level. Two more penalty corners followed, and despite a series of sharp saves from Savita, Breyne struck from close range during yet another set-piece to give Belgium a 2–1 lead. India laboured to find a way back, probing through the flanks in search of an opening in the final quarter, but the Belgian defence remained largely untroubled in the final third. The final ten minutes, however, were completely dominated by the hosts. In the 54th minute, Ballenghien effectively sealed the contest with a well-taken goal to make it 3–1. Five minutes later, Brasseur converted Belgium's fourth penalty corner, stretching the lead further. Just before the end, Englebert added her name to the scoresheet, calmly slotting home a penalty stroke in the 58th minute to complete a comprehensive win for Belgium.

Yahoo

3 minutes ago

• Yahoo

Putin says 'the whole of Ukraine is ours'

Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested during an economic forum that the "whole of Ukraine" belongs to his country, even though Russia only controls about a fifth of Ukrainian territory. He made the comments on June 20 at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where he also indicated that he wouldn't "rule out" taking the northern Sumy region, which Russian troops have been rapidly advancing into in recent weeks. The regional capital of 250,000 people is located just over a dozen miles from the Russian border. Read more: 'Very disappointed': Trump continues to criticize Putin's war tactics during negotiations "Where the foot of a Russian soldier steps, that is ours," Putin said. Ukraine's foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, condemned Putin's remarks, which he called "deranged." "Putin's cynical statements demonstrate complete disdain for US peace efforts," he wrote on X. "While the United States and the rest of the world have called for an immediate end to the killing, Russia's top war criminal discusses plans to seize more Ukrainian territory and kill more Ukrainians." The back-and-forth comes nearly two weeks after Russia launched one of its largest air attacks on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, in over three years of war. Read more: Russia launches one of Ukraine war's largest air attacks on Kyiv Contributing: Reuters Zachary Schermele is an education reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at zschermele@ Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and Bluesky at @ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Putin says 'the whole of Ukraine is ours'