ARCH162

Center reading space of the Bibliotheque Nationale The Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris, France, is known for its grand collection of international printed material. Founded by Charles V (1368), the building underwent multiple revisions and renovations throughout history. With over ten million titles, the collection contains a variety of prints from arts, law, economics, language, literature, science, technology, humanities, philosophy and more. The library also contains over 5,000 Greek manuscripts. The 19,000 square-foot library is constructed with several materials. Masonry, iron, terra-cotta and steel create the composition of the building. Its neoclassical exterior impression emphasizes order, and a sense of government power. The heavy horizontal cladding axes are complimented by the vertical nature of the arcade. With a play of depth on the facade, the skin is further defined by the writing on the walls. All these elements contribute to the envelope system which ...

The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel is a solid piece of arch placed on top of Champs Elysees. It is the world’s second largest triumphal arch and inspired from the Arch of Titus which is located in Italy. Napoleon was the one who built the arch and designed by Charles Percier and pierre Francois Leonard Fontaine it was built between 1806 and 1808. Napoleon also built this to celebrate the France empire army in Austerlitz.                                                       The imaginary historical axis of Paris starts in the center of Louvre and goes west through the Tuileries Gardens. The arch is 63 feet in height and 75 feet in width. Also this arch is half the size of the famous Arc De Tr...

Located in Paris, France, the Arc du Carrousel is often confused with the Arc de Triomhpe, however the two are not to be confused with one another. The Arc de Carrousel was design and built in order to salute and celebrate Napoleon's victories during the time period. It was built in 1806 to 1808 and specifically located between the Louvre and Palais de Tuileries. It was designed by Charles Percier and Pierre François Léonard Fontaine, yet inspired by other Roman architects as well. The design was derived from the Arch of Constantine in Rome. It consists of three archways, with the largest reaching 21 feet high. The center arch is neighbored by two smaller arches on each side. The Arc du Carrousel decorated with eight Corinthian style marble columns. At the top of the arch there is a quadriga. This is a statue that consists of the Horses of St. Mark but later replaced by another quadriga that was made by the sculptor Baron Francois Joseph Bosio. There are also eight statues of ...

Sainte-Genevieve Pantheon History The Saint Genevieve Pantheon was built by Jacques-Germain Soufflort in about 1757 on the Latin Quarter of Paris France. It was meant to replace an existing older church [2]. After the French revolution it was secularized and dedicated to inspiring Frenchman, hence the name pantheon, “a building in which the illustrious dead of a nation are buried or honored.”[1] The purpose of the Pantheon has changed of the past few centuries since its construction:   Today, the structure that we see now is a third reiteration of the pantheon, having been rebuilt over the centuries. Architecture: Outside: The Pantheon is a cruciform shaped building having a high dome in the middle and four smaller domes in its arms. The facade is much like the Roman Pantheon and is formed by a portico of Corinthian columns and triangular pediments attached to the ends of its eastern arms. Instead of joining directly to the rotunda the pedimen...

Front Façade Palais Garnier (Garnier Opera House) Main Lobby        The Paris Opera house was commissioned by Napoleon III, and it was designed by Charles Garnier in 1862. It was finished  in 1874, taking 12 years to come to completion. The structure was built to replace an old opera house that was too small, and happened to burn down during the construction of this new one. The façade of this structure was a combination of styles, including Baroque and Beaux-arts, however Garnier insisted the style be referred to as “Napoleon III”. The front façade was a true sight to be seen in terms of detail and scale. There is a full length portico lined with arches that are adorned with sculptures of composers and musical artists along the entire length of the front facade. Above that, is a row of corinthian columns in AA BB formation. The formation entails two thicker columns flanking two thinner ones made of stone and marble, f...

Built in 1875, the Palais Garnier became known for its beauty and named after the architect, Charles Garnier. It used to be called Salle De Capucines after its position on the boulevard of Capucines, and is also been known to be referred to as the Opera Garnier and the Opera de Paris until 1989. Now it is mainly used for ballet performances.   Palais Garnier won the competition in 1860 for the new Paris Oprah House and once it was built, it quickly became known for its Baroque style in the late 19 th century. Due to its magnificence, Garnier was hailed for its excellent use of mass and void. Due his gained popularity Garnier was commissioned for other works shortly after such as the Casino of Monte Carlo (1878), several villas he built for his own in Bordighera (1872), and the Casino and baths at Vittel. These were a few amongst his many works and he had also worked on an observatory at Nice, and the Hotel du Cercle de la Librairie in Paris. In 1876-81 he also published a book...

King Louis had been working on his garden for over 10 years when he decided to commission a new mansion by the royal architect, Ange-Jacque Gabriel. This new estate was meant to be big enough to house the king and some of his following, and as he did this, he strayed from the classic Rococo and Gothic architecture and returned to the Greek Style that was becoming popular. As a result he made a large statement in the Neo-Classical movement.                Built in 1768, the Trianon estate was built for King Louis XV and Queen Marie-Antoinette and was used as an escape from the palace life. In 1774, Louis XV came down with the pox and shortly died after. Thus brought about the reign of Louis XVI and his newly wed wife, Marie Antoinette, and as a gift to his beloved, he gave her the Petite Trianon and its estate. With her newly acquired play house, she started redecorating and made it her own.   This included redesigning...