Architecture Review

The Louvre
Subject: English
` Lecturer: R. A. J. Atrinawati, M. Hum

Group 6 :
1. Maravia Putri Aulia (21020122140106)
2. Al Aliya Amorita Anjali (21020122140114)
3. Khalila Hanggaranis Putri (21020122140174)
4. Naira Ammara Shifa Anhasra (21020122140176)
5. Aurelia Shahnaz Ghassani (21020122140179)

ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

DIPONEGORO UNIVERSITY
2023
Architects
1. Pierre Lescot

Pierre Lescot was born in Paris, 1515. Lescot is one of the great French
architects of the mid-16th century who contributed a decorative style that
provided the foundation for the classical tradition of French architecture. Lescot
was active during the French Renaissance. His most notable works include the
Fontaine des Innocents and the Lescot Wing of the Louvre in Paris. King Francis
I of France took him into his service, and appointed him architect in charge of
the building projects at the Palais du Louvre. After the King’s death, Lescot was
confirmed in his position by his heir Henry II, and he worked at the Louvre
project until his death.

2. Ieoh Ming Pei

Ieoh Ming Pei was born in Guangzhou, on April 26, 1917. He was a Chinese-
American architect, raised in Shanghai and moved to the United States in 1935
to enroll in the University of Pennsylvania’s architecture school, but he quickly
transferred to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After graduating, he
joined the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD). Pei started working for
William Zeckendorf in 1948 for seven years, then he established an independent
design firm in 1955, called I. M. Pei & Associates. His other famous projects are
 Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Suzhou Museum in Suzhou, Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong, and beyond.

Description

Louvre Museum is an art museum building located on the Right bank of the
Seine in Paris. The building was expanded several times until it had a total area of
60.600 m2. It has more than 380.000 objects and displays 35.000 works of art across
eight departments, including dedicated permanent collections. The museum houses
some of the most famous and valuable pieces of art in the world, including the Venus de
Milo statue, Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, and Winged Victory of Samothrace.

Concept Design

The design of the Louvre Museum building is a combination of classical and

modern architecture. Most of the main structures of the Louvre Museum are historic
buildings that combine classical architectural styles. This includes elements such as
columns, arches, pilasters, and marble walls that characterize classical architecture.
Meanwhile, the Louvre Pyramid is designed in a modernist architectural style that
reflects contemporary style. Its design is very minimalist with sharp lines and simple
geometric shapes, also made from modern materials like glass and steel.

Architectural Elements

The Louvre Museum building showcases various architectural elements such as

recessed wings, pavilions, balustrades, and pediments. The recessed wings are lower or
concealed within the main structure, including the Denon Wing, Richelieu Wing, Sully
Wing, East Wing, West Wing, North Wing, and South Wing. Pavilions are smaller
buildings or additional structures within the museum complex, with the Napoleon
Pavilion being a notable example. Balustrades are used in the roof or terrace design,
serving as decorative or ornamental railings or short walls. Pediments, typically placed
above entrances or windows, feature reliefs, carvings, or artistic ornaments, adding
distinctive decorative elements to the building.

History/Background

The Louvre Museum, officially known as the Musée du Louvre, has a storied
history that dates back to the late 12th century when it was a defensive fortress called
the Louvre, built to protect Paris from Viking attacks. In the 16th century, King Francis

I transformed it into a Renaissance palace and began collecting art. Over the centuries, it
served as a royal residence, and King Louis XIV expanded it. During the French
Revolution, it opened to the public as a museum, symbolizing the revolution's
commitment to art accessibility.

Under Napoleon Bonaparte's rule, the Louvre expanded its collection

significantly, bringing art treasures from across Europe. It underwent architectural
changes in the 19th and 20th centuries, including the iconic glass pyramid entrance
designed by I. M. Pei in 1989.

The Louvre's collection is vast and diverse, featuring famous works like the
Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. Today, it's a symbol of France's cultural heritage,
housing over 380,000 objects and welcoming millions of visitors annually. The museum
continues to evolve, reflecting France's cultural and historical evolution, making it a
global hub for art and culture, attracting art enthusiasts and tourists from around the
world.

Louvre, A Stunning Work of Art

1. THE CONTEMPORARY LOUVRE

The Louvre Museum was a top-notch art gallery in the early 1980s.
Although it has one of the finest art collections in the world, there was not
enough room to display it.

The museum could only use two of the three available wings to display
art,because the French Minister of Finance had claimed the Richelieu Wing of
the building for their offices.

1.1. Architecture of The Contemporary Louvre

The contemporary Louvre's architecture is a reflection of a revolution in

French design distinguished by the influence of classical elements. The facade
incorporated both classical and traditional French elements to produce a
distinctive brand of French classicism.

2. THE GRAND LOUVRE PROJECT - LOUVRE PYRAMID

Mitterrand became the president of France in 1981. Mitterrand proclaimed
that The Louvre was his main priority, and announced the Grand Louvre project
that same year, which included expanding, redesigning the Museum, and made
sure that the Richelieu Wing was returned to the art museum.
 Mitterrand made the decision to build a new entrance in the courtyard
encircled by the Museum's existing building, known as the Cour Napoléon. The
entrance would be in the middle of the courtyard, surrounded by a transparent
pyramid.

2.1. Architecture of The Grand Louvre Project

2.1.1. The Design Intent and Philosophy
Pei and his team mentioned in an interview that they tried with numerous
forms for the Louvre. They considered hemispherical shapes with curves and
cubes. They decided against it, nevertheless, after carefully reviewing the
historical Louver profile, which had no curves.

Pei’s initial conceptual sketch of the pyramid

Pei observed that when your eye advances vertically, a pyramid shape
condenses to a single point before disappearing into thin air. One of the least
obtrusive shapes that might be employed was the pyramid. The ancient buildings
surrounding the periphery would have the best visibility through and around the
pyramid due to its transparency. Pei treated the traditional Louvre's architecture
with great sensitivity and care.

The Contemporary Louvre The Grand Louvre Project

 The museum's and the pyramids' architectural combination produces a
variety of experiences since it displays characteristics from several eras and is a
stunning work of art.

The Louvre’s Pyramid

The Louvre Pyramid, designed by I.M Pei, is a monumental entrance to the

Louvre Museum. It was commissioned in 1981 by French President François Mitterrand
as part of a larger project to enhance the museum. Completed in 1989, the pyramid
serves as the main entrance and is surrounded by three smaller pyramids that represent
the three wings of the Louvre - the Richelieu, Sully, and Denon wings.

The main pyramid is made of glass and steel, reaching a height of 20.6 meters
(about 70 feet) with a square base of 35 meters (115 feet). It is composed of 603
rhombus-shaped and 70 triangular glass segments, giving it a unique and visually
striking appearance. The glass panes are arranged in irregular proportions, resembling
cut jewels and adding to its aesthetic appeal.

In addition to providing a new entrance, Pei's design also included an

underground system of galleries, storage, and preservation laboratories, as well as a
connection between the museum's wings. The design aimed to improve visitor
circulation and enhance the overall experience of the museum.
 Furthermore, there is an inverted pyramid located in the Carrousel du Louvre
shopping mall, completed in 1993. This inverted pyramid serves as another entrance to
the museum and is made of glass, resembling a glass plate when viewed from the top.

Pei's design of the Louvre Pyramid has become an iconic and inseparable
symbol of the museum and Paris itself. It has transformed the way visitors enter and
experience the Louvre, while also adding a modern architectural element to the historic
surroundings.

Architectural Details

CEILING AND WALLS

One of the intriguing details inside the Louvre is its ceiling and walls adorned with
beautiful carvings. Just like in the Salon d’Apollon, which used to be the office of King
Louis XIV, there are imitation carvings of Buddha, Mars, and Anubis on the ceiling.

DOORS AND WINDOWS

The doors and windows feature intricate carvings and fine details on the wood used for
door and window frames. For instance, in the Salle des Bronzes' dans l'Aile Richelieu
gallery, there are even carvings on the door handles, showcasing the craftsmanship and
attention to detail in the architecture.

Louvre Museum’s Floor Plan

The collections are displayed on five levels, in three interconnecting wings named after
three prominent figures from French history: Sully (1559–1641), chief minister of King
Henri IV, Richelieu (1585–1642), chief minister of King Louis XIII, and Denon (1747–
1825), first director of the Musée du Louvre.

Sections

North-South and East-West sections / Courtesy of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners

The Louvre museum underwent a reorganization to create a more functional and

compact layout. The J-shaped structure was transformed into a U-shape, centered
around a courtyard. The main entrance was redesigned with a striking glass pyramid,
allowing equal access to the museum's three wings. An underground expansion building
was also constructed, providing more space for museum functions. These changes
modernized the museum and integrated it into the revitalized center of Paris while
preserving its historic significance.

References

Richard, Bryan, dan Josephine Roosandriantini. “PENERAPAN ARSITEKTUR

FUTURISTIK DAN FUNGSIONALIS PADA BANGUNAN MUSEUM LE GRANDE
LOUVRE”. Jurnal Arsitektur – Vol. 2 No. 2 (2022):57.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I._M._Pei

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Lescot

https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/The_Louvre

https://smarthistory.org/louvre-colonnade/

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Louvre-Museum

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louvre#History

https://impeifoundation.org/works/grand-louvre-phase-i/

https://api-www.louvre.fr/sites/default/files/2022-12/LOUVRE_PlanG-2022-EN-.pdf

https://www.louvre.fr/en/explore/the-palace/a-pyramid-for-a-symbol

https://architectuul.com/architecture/louvre-pyramid

https://www.archdaily.com/88705/ad-classics-le-grande-louvre-i-m-pei