The new museum will consist of five pavilions which are connected at their corners. The entrance of the pavilion will be made of glass while the entire building will be clad in a reflective aluminum.
Adrien Gardère, the French museographer,, will curate the Gallery of Time which will have chronologically arranged artwork emphasizing cross-cultural connections by displaying art produced in different places at the same time.
The museum also plans to display art from the Louvre’s vast collection, which spans eight departments: Near Eastern Antiquities; Egyptian Antiquities; Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities; Islamic Art; Decorative Arts; Prints and Drawings; Sculptures; and Paintings. The Lens branch will display rarely seen pieces and will highlight the archival and conservation roles of the institution with a series of visible, below-grade storage areas.
Louis-Antoine Grégo, project architect for SANAA said that the curvature of the buildings will increase the ethereal effect by changing appearance as visitors walk by. He is working with the local architects Extramuros, to complete the project.
The new museum is expected to be ready by 2012.
