Grand Palais Éphémère by Wilmotte & Associés - ©Wilmotte & Associés.

Grand Palais Éphémère by Wilmotte & Associés – ©Wilmotte & Associés.

Architecture–During the renovation of Le Grand Palais [Read more], Wilmotte & Associés built a modular wooden structure wrapped in a plastic skin in Paris. So far, the Grand Palais Éphémère has hosted major art and fashion events. For the Olympic and Paralympic Games, it turned into a sports arena hosting judo, wrestling, wheelchair rugby, and para-judo competitions.

Grand Palais Éphémère by Wilcotte & Associates - Photo via IG, follow @yonel1981.

Grand Palais Éphémère by Wilcotte & Associates – Photo via IG, follow @yonel1981.

Installed on the Joffre plateau of the Champ-de-Mars, between the Eiffel Tower and the Ecole Militaire, the Grand Palais Ephémère reconnects with the site’s history, which has witnessed Universal Exhibitions and great popular festivals over the past two centuries.

“Since no single tree on the Champ-de-Mars could be cut down, nor could the statue of Marshal Joffre be moved, it was necessary to imagine a sober and discreet structure exemplary of urban ecology.” Jean-Michel Wilmotte told Archipanic.

Grand Palais Éphémère by Wilmotte & Associés - © Patrick_Tourneboeuf for RMN.

© Patrick Tourneboeuf for RMN.

The Grand Palais Éphémère’s temporary structure is composed of two naves, one of 150m and the other of 130m, the crossing of which is composed of two 65m arches erected as keystones. The main nave located in the axis of the Champ-de-Mars has three 30m arches for the wing facing the Military School and 15 for the wing facing the Eiffel Tower.

The upper part of the structure is covered with an opaque PVC membrane, while the sides are closed by a transparent membrane. Both are environmentally friendly: the former is reusable, and the latter is 100% recyclable.

Grand Palais Éphémère by Wilmotte & Associés - ©Wilmotte & Associés Architectes.

©Wilmotte & Associés Architectes.

“The Grand Palais Ephémère was designed as a sum of modular elements that can be reborn in many new forms in other places.” Adds Jean-Michel Wilmotte. “It is thus an example of sustainable architecture for events outside the walls.”

  • All photos of Grand Palais Éphémère by Wilmotte & Associés – Courtesy of RNM.
Grand Palais Éphémère by Wilmotte & Associés - © Patrick_Tourneboeuf for RMN.

© Patrick_Tourneboeuf for RMN.