Concrete is Perfect Match for Architectural Daring at the Louvre

Concrete was selected as the material of choice, for its structural and aesthetic qualities, when constructing the new Islamic Art wing of the Louvre in Paris. The structure is hailed as the most significant museum expansion project since the Louvre’s great Pyramid. Concrete supplied by (NRMCA member) Lafarge was used throughout this project, in perfect harmony with the stone of the Louvre. All the walls are entirely coated in black concrete facing, thus adding depth to the space and providing a better backdrop for the collection.  

A monumental 16-meter long staircase linking the lower ground and ground floor levels was constructed with a single pour of black concrete. The 12 columns supporting the floor are also built with concrete. An ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete was used for the staircase steps and risers as well as for the manufacture of the frame supporting the Mamluk Porch (pictured left), one of the major pieces of the collection, and in the corridors which link the new space to the museum and other galleries. In total, 5800 cubic meters of concrete were used on the project.