Group

France

"The largest and most modern library in the world". Described in these terms by François Mitterrand in 1988, the French National Library rises up on the left bank of the river Seine. Designed to call to mind an open book, the building comprises four 80 metre tall corner blocks towering over a 26 hectare esplanade that incorporates a garden in its centre. The elevations are clad in architectural concrete, extra-clear glass, stainless steel and hardwood. The complexity of works required an intelligent balance between very tight completion times (one level every four days), exceptional work quality and the management of large quantities.