Contemporary Art Center – FRAC / Kengo Kuma & Associates

Contemporary Art Center – FRAC / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Exterior Photography, FacadeContemporary Art Center – FRAC / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Interior Photography, Stairs, Windows, Facade, HandrailContemporary Art Center – FRAC / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Image 4 of 26Contemporary Art Center – FRAC / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Exterior PhotographyContemporary Art Center – FRAC / Kengo Kuma & Associates - More Images+ 21

Marseille, France
Contemporary Art Center – FRAC / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Image 6 of 26
© Erieta Attali

Text description provided by the architects. The project of the contemporary art center (FRAC) for the region Provence Alpes Cotes d’Azur (PACA) is the 3D version of the “museum without walls” invented by André Malraux, famous French writer and politician. It is a museum without a museum, a living and moving place, where the art pieces are in a constant movement and join the logic of diffusion and interaction with the visitors.

Contemporary Art Center – FRAC / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade
© Nicolas Waltefaugle

KKAA thought the FRAC as a signal in the city, which allows a better visibility to contemporary art.

Contemporary Art Center – FRAC / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade
© Erieta Attali

The building stands up as a landmark which identity is clearly asserted.

It is composed with two recognizable parts:

Contemporary Art Center – FRAC / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Exterior Photography
© Erieta Attali

-  The main body along the street Vincent Leblanc contains the exhibition spaces and documentation center

-  A small tower with auditorium and children’s workshop, offers an upper terrace on the main boulevard.

Contemporary Art Center – FRAC / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Exterior Photography, Windows
© Nicolas Waltefaugle

These two clearly identified entities are connected between them by a set of footbridges and are unified by the envelope made by an glass skin, composed with panels with changing opacity.  

Contemporary Art Center – FRAC / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Interior Photography, Windows
© Erieta Attali

The building explores the theme of the windows and openings on different scales. KKAA wishes to create a particular space of creation and life, which action and effect is bounded to the entire city, as well as the surrounding district and neighborhood (cafe-terrace...).

Contemporary Art Center – FRAC / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Image 14 of 26
Floor Plan

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Project location

Address:Marseille, France

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Contemporary Art Center – FRAC / Kengo Kuma & Associates" 09 Sep 2013. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/425028/contemporary-art-center-frac-kengo-kuma-and-associates> ISSN 0719-8884

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