Selldorf and Studios Architecture to Add Subterranean Entrances at Louvre

The article reports that New York’s Selldorf Architects and Paris-based Studios Architecture have been chosen to lead the Louvre’s most ambitious renovation in 35 years.

The plan, named Louvre New Renaissance, will transform the eastern Colonnade block and its moat.

It will add two subterranean entrances with symmetrical ramps and reimagine the moat as a garden by BASE.

Inside, gallery spaces will be updated for modern standards.

A dedicated exhibition space for the Mona Lisa will address security concerns raised by a recent break-in.

The selection was praised for its architectural quality and careful integration with the Louvre’s heritage.

Museum staff are planning consultations as renovations begin.

Winning the Louvre New Renaissance

The winning proposal emerged from a five-team shortlist that included AL_A with NC Nathalie Crinière, Sou Fujimoto, Diller Scofidio + Renfro with Architecturestudio, and SANAA with Dubuisson Architecture.

Jurors praised the scheme for its architectural quality and its sensitive integration with the Louvre’s historic fabric, urban setting, and landscape.

The museum emphasized that the design prioritizes visitor experience, clear circulation, simplicity, greenery, and robust security measures.

Design Team and Shortlist Context

The competition gathered a mix of internationally renowned studios, each bringing a distinct approach to the site’s scale and sensitivity.

The final choice brings together Selldorf Architects and Studios Architecture, signaling a collaboration that blends New York–born and Paris-based design philosophies.

The jury’s deliberations noted the importance of balancing contemporary intervention with the Louvre’s centuries-old urban and landscape context.

Key Architectural Features

Several defining elements outline the Louvre New Renaissance project.

The plan introduces two subterranean entrances accessed by symmetrical ramps that extend above the moat before recessing into the surrounding walls.

Beneath these new paths, cafes and bookshops will provide vibrant ground-floor amenities integrated with visitor flow.

The moat itself is reimagined as a garden designed by BASE, transforming a water feature into a living landscape that enhances the museum’s exterior experience.

Interior galleries will be renovated to modern standards.

A dedicated exhibition space for the Mona Lisa will be created to address security considerations and curatorial needs.

• Subterranean entrances with symmetrical ramp access
• Ramps rising above the moat and then integrating into walls
• Cafes and bookshops located beneath new access routes
• Moat transformed into a BASE-designed garden
• Renovated interior galleries aligned with contemporary standards
• Dedicated Mona Lisa exhibition space with enhanced security

Visitor Experience, Greenery, and Security

The design package highlights visitor experience as a core driver, with emphasis on clear circulation and intuitive wayfinding.

Greenery and open space are presented as essential components that connect interior and exterior experiences, offering respite within a world-class museum setting.

The Mona Lisa space reflects a proactive response to security concerns, ensuring both iconic access and safeguarded viewing conditions for one of the world’s most visited works.

Stakeholder Response and Next Steps

The announcement has been met with some resistance from museum staff. These staff members previously held strikes calling for priority on maintenance needs over renovation work.

In response, the Louvre plans to begin consultations with staff and other stakeholders. This will help ensure that operational realities are considered in the design process.

The consultation process will also involve the city of Paris and state heritage authorities. Security agencies will participate before the project is opened to broader public input.

In the coming months, the selected design team will refine the project through structured dialogue with museum personnel and municipal authorities. Heritage officials and security experts will also be involved.

The goal is a plan that respects the Louvre’s heritage while improving visitor experiences and gallery spaces. The design will also focus on a strong security framework.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Selldorf Architects and Studios Architecture set to add subterranean entrances to Musée du Louvre