ANGERS COLLECTORS MUSEUM AND HOTEL

The new Angers Collectors Museum / Le Musée des Collectionneurs and an adjacent hotel is located in the center of Angers, France and will form a new cultural gateway for the city.

The site for the new Angers Collectors Museum is on the east bank of the Maine river and across from the Chateau d’Angers, built by King Louis IX between 1228 and 1238 on the foundations of a 9th century fortress. It takes its inspiration from the curves of the castle, turning the planimetric vertical into section and connecting the curves diagonally. The museum is set within a series of reflecting pools, which relate back to the history of the site, which was once part of the river.

The new Museum is connected to a linear hotel, which is inspired by the 14th century Apocalypse Tapestry, which is on display at the Chateau d’Angers. Clear and translucent glass are woven together to create a tapestry-like façade. Together, the museum and hotel shape a public sculpture garden at the center of the site. Passages through the site engage the sculpture garden and connect the site and city to the river.

The 4742 sm, exposed titanium white concrete museum will feature galleries for permanent and temporary exhibitions and a forum event space, and provide spaces for art education and art storage. In addition, it will share a rooftop restaurant with the hotel. Geothermal heating and cooling eliminate fossil fuels, and recycled water fills the reflecting pools.