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June 24, 2005
les halles
I must say, I'm quite impressed with the new projects lined up for the central market place in Paris, le Forum des Halles, by the Socialist mayor Bertrand Delanoë. A brief history of the most botched public project in France.
There are 4 plans in the running, but it looks like the one designed by French architect David Mangin is in the lead. Interestingly, it seems to be a favourite in large part thanks to the neighbourhoods' backing, which is sort of a new concept for France. I'm quite fond of the design, which I feel captures the nature of traditional European covered markets. Interestingly, the central, domed building immediately reminded me of the Mercat del Born in Barcelona, which was itself inspired by the old Halles. Full circle.
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Later: Les Halles (as it stands now) apparently made it in the project for public spaces' park walk of shame. hiiiiilarious. Go see if your home town made it! Mine got a few.. I felt a bit defensive when I saw the Parc de la Villette in the listing, because I have so many childhood memories there. Certainly, it's an usual parc, but I don't think it deserved to be panned so brutally! Interesting how attached we get to public spaces. They really do belong to all of us.
Posted by jessehudson at June 24, 2005 10:47 AM
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