Recently, the Louvre has garnered widespread attention due to employee strikes and aging infrastructure, resulting in thousands of visitors being forced to wait in line outside the museum. To tackle these challenges, the iconic Paris landmark has launched an international architectural design competition aimed at undertaking a massive renovation and expansion of the museum. This initiative also seeks to create a brand-new exhibition space for the museum’s prized treasure Mona Lisa, easing the crowding issues for visitors.
This design competition focuses on two main objectives: First, to plan a new entrance on the eastern facade of the Louvre, replacing the currently overcrowded entry points. In stark contrast to the renowned glass pyramid designed by I.M. Pei, the new entrance must seamlessly and appropriately blend with the classical column style of the 17th century, ensuring the historical aesthetic of the overall architecture is preserved. Second, a 33,000-square-foot underground exhibition space will be created for Mona Lisa beneath the Cour Courée courtyard. Visitors will need to enter through separate time slots booked in advance, effectively managing the large crowds currently overwhelming the exhibition halls.
This competition is overseen by a jury of 21 experts, who will select the finalists. The five shortlisted groups will be announced in October, and the final winning design is expected to be revealed early next year. In an internal letter disclosed by the media, Louvre Museum director Laurence des Cars mentioned that the museum is currently facing serious structural issues, including leaking pipes and unstable climate conditions, both of which pose potential threats to the collection.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced a five-year renovation plan at the beginning of this year, with a total budget expected to reach 400 million euros (approximately 417 million dollars). According to reports, the ticket price for non-EU visitors to the Louvre has been adjusted to 10 euros, and this price change is expected to provide some funding support for the expansion project. With nearly 9 million visitors each year, this renovation and expansion plan is not only an enhancement of the Louvre’s architecture but also a crucial step in redefining the future image of this world-class museum.
