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Arab World Institute |
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| The Arab World Institure is set on a site in the central
part of Paris a short distance from the Church of Notre Dame, the Arab
World Institute is one of the Grands Projets encouraged by the Francois
Mitterand during the 1980s. It was established in 1980 (by the architect Jean Nouvel), when 19 Arab countries concluded an agreement with France to establish a presentation of arab-islamic civilization as a whole, in a building symbolic of arab civilization. The Institute also aims at promoting cooperation and cultural exchanges between France and the Arab world in the areas of science and technology. It incorporates some well lit exhibition areas, a museum, library, a 300-seat hall and a restaurant, as well as offices and car parking. Internally a superb feature is the glass and steel stairs and lift enclosure, which can be seen from most parts of the building. The south-facing garden courtyard wall has been described as a 'Venetian blind', although its appearance is more patently Islamic in decorative terms. It is, however, an ocular device of striking originality, made up of numerous and variously dimensioned metallic diaphragms set in pierced metal borders. These diaphragms operate like a camera lens to control the sun's penetration into the interior of the building. Thus the whole effect is like a giant Islamic pierced screen, giving significance and an audacious brilliance to this remarkable building Hotel near the Arab World Institute Paris Hotel Budget Hotel Claude Bernard St Germain des Pres Paris Info Paris Paris by Night - Restaurant - Weather - Maps - Paris Tips - Glossary Popular Places & Museums - Business info - Itineraries - Transportation Sports - Embassies - Cults - Shopping - Cybercafes |