bouroullec brothers design public square + furnishings for tadao ando's bourse de commerce

ronan and erwan bouroullec have designed the public square and furnishings, exterior and interior, for tadao ando’s bourse de commerce – pinault collection museum in paris. arriving in the rue de viarmes, visitors are greeted by three shimmering flags carried high on 13 meter flagpoles and united by a series of aluminum-bronze, low bench–barriers, each 12 meters long. inside, the bouroullecs have ranged widely, from monumental glass lights developed together with flos (see previous coverage here), to a variety of furniture and textiles for the various spaces within the new museum.
all images by claire lavabre, studio bouroullec unless stated otherwise

all courtesy bourse de commerce – pinault collection

ronan & erwan bouroullec have created a wide-ranging project to define each space of the bourse de commerce — pinault collection contemporary art museum, which has been restored and transformed by tadao ando architect & associates, NeM / niney & marca architectes, pierre-antoine gatier and setec bâtiment. each arrangement has been used to instil a particular atmosphere within its context, and is the result of detailed research and collaboration with a variety of highly skilled manufacturers and craftsmen. arriving in the rue de viarmes, visitors are heralded by three vast sails shimmering in the breeze like rippling liquid. the flags are carried high on 13 meter flagpoles that slot seamlessly into specially cast, boulder-like forms at their bases, each weighing about three tonnes.

arranged around the building, these flagpoles are united by seven low bench–barriers, each 12 metres long, that follow the curve of the narrow pedestrian street that encircles the building. based on a system of specially made aluminium-bronze tubes, these furnishings provide seating and create a new public space for museum visitors and passers-by alike. inside, the bouroullecs have ranged widely, from monumental glass lights – horizontal in the entrance hall, vertical in the historic stairways, to a variety of different furniture and textiles for the various spaces within the renovated bourse de commerce.

throughout, spaces have been considered on a scale that is almost domestic, ensuring ease of use, physical comfort and fluid functionality with the utmost finesse. materials and fabrics have been selected for atmosphere and wellbeing, dampening acoustics, softening footfall, and capturing light with gentle elegance. horizontal and vertical lighting has been developed in partnership with italian light manufacturer flos (read designboom’s dedicated feature here).

the lounge area welcomes visitors in a comfortable, calm space created by large floor-rugs, softening acoustics and atmosphere. these rugs were specially developed for the bourse de commerce in collaboration with manufactures catry and their unique, 19th century wilton loom for weaving extremely hard-wearing carpeting. their abstract motif evoking the dark colors of lichens and bark is continued in the upholstery of the benches. these anodised aluminum benches were designed with cassina, and are also used through the exhibition spaces, accompanied by low tables. meanwhile, the circular walkway around tadao ando’s central cylinder is furnished with the ‘rope’ collection, developed with artek, to provide simple seating in the atmosphere of a parisian public arcade. the existing chair design is joined here by benches and a system of rope barriers to guide visitors, both specially developed for the bourse de commerce.photo by tommaso sartori, courtesy flos

overlooking all of paris, the ‘halle aux grains’ restaurant on the top floor features fine textile partitions that soften sound and light. a series of vertical lights and pieces of colorful glass, specially made by wonderglass in ochres, greens, reds, fill the space. at the same time, mirrors of thick slabs of cast glass made near venice render the effect manifold. the furniture was specially adapted for the restaurant by magis from the existing officina collection in wrought iron, also used for the lamps.photo by tommaso sartori, courtesy flosphoto by tommaso sartori, courtesy flos