Alexander Fils - The Centre Pompidou in Paris: Concept, Architectural History, Function - 1980

Alexander Fils

The Centre Pompidou in Paris
Idea – History of Construction – Function

The book by Alexander Fils “The Centre Pompidou in Paris. Idea – History of Construction – Function,” published in 1980, represents one of the first and most precise German-language monographs dedicated to this revolutionary cultural center. The text analyzes the building in an organic way through the three key concepts expressed in the title, starting from the genesis of the idea to its practical realization and social impact.

Fils then documents the complex history of the construction, starting from the international competition of 1971, where among 681 projects the jury unexpectedly chose the radical proposal of two architects who were then young and almost unknown, Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers. The book describes the extraordinary engineering challenge undertaken in the historic Marais district, where High-Tech architecture finds its fullest expression. The entire supporting structure and the technological systems were carried to the exterior according to the logic of an inward-outward inversion, freeing the interior space completely from pillars and bearing walls to ensure maximum flexibility. This choice sparked what at the time was called the Beaubourg scandal, with fierce criticism from those who insulted the building, calling it a petroleum refinery or an aesthetic monster, before it became a world icon.

Finally, the volume examines the building’s function and the coexistence of several institutions under the same roof, including the Musée National d’Art Moderne for the visual arts, the Bibliothèque Publique d’Information with totally free access, and IRCAM, the center for acoustic and musical research led by Pierre Boulez. Fils explains that this complex functional machine is externally governed by a strict color code, in which blue pipes handle air conditioning, green pipes fluids, yellow pipes electricity, and red ducts the flows of people along the famous transparent moving stairs.

Conditions

The volume is presented in overall excellent condition. The cover intact, without defects. Sturdy soft cover. Inner pages clean with no underlining, creases or stains. An excellent collectible/reference copy.

COMBINED SHIPMENT available for multiple purchases.