New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 33/04C | Page 16

was defined in the masterplan of the entire island,
throughout the building. When there is no concert,
the glass shuttered Porte Guillotine and bi-folding
Porte Pliante open up so that the public can go
across the Interior Street (Rue Intérieure). Once
inside, visitors can walk along past shops, the ticket
office, restaurants, the foyer and on past windows
where you can see into the rehearsal rooms. This
street leads you to the Place Rodin, a sculptural
terrace located at the point of the island.
The island’s green belt – the other axis defined
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in the masterplan – extends to La Seine Musicale.
You can go up the monumental exterior stairs to
access the rooftop garden above Grande Seine.
This was not a client’s request but my own
desire to build public facilities such as museums
and concert halls that are open for everyone. In
other words, I like to invite citizens who aren’t used
to visiting such facilities, as well as music and art
devotees.
The Interior Street and the roof top garden of
La Seine Musicale are examples of this. And the
Above:The Auditorium – located
inside the jewel-like structure –
seats 1150. Individual corrugated
wooden stripes, all composed
from the same single module, are
shaped differently according to
their required acoustic reflection
and absorption qualities.