Architecture
France, Lyon. 2025
Extension of the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon
The realm where cultural processes converge.
The main objective of this project was to create a new, transformable exhibition space that would delicately integrate into the existing spatial structure of the building and extend functionality of the museum territory through adding new meanings and events. The structural roof allows guests to visit new spaces at any time and it also gives an opportunity to organize an accessible roof. The openness of the courtyard to the city should make it possible to have a different look at the structure of the museum and find new principles for the interaction of culture and the city.
The main objective of this project was to create a new, transformable exhibition space that would delicately integrate into the existing spatial structure of the building and extend functionality of the museum territory through adding new meanings and events. The structural roof allows guests to visit new spaces at any time and it also gives an opportunity to organize an accessible roof. The openness of the courtyard to the city should make it possible to have a different look at the structure of the museum and find new principles for the interaction of culture and the city.
The construction of the building began in 1659 as the convent, and since 1801 the palace has been occupied by the Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon) - the largest in Lyon and one of the largest in France. Middle right: fountain by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, author of the New York Statue of Liberty (opened in 1892). The fountain depicts a woman driving a chariot, harnessed with four horses.
The expansion of exhibition space at the Museum of Fine Arts in Lyon grows more important amid opportunities for museum development in densely built urban areas and evolving functionality.
Research into the museum’s integration within the city, its internal layout, and future directions highlights the courtyard’s high spatial value as a resource for new exhibition and educational zones, as well as a hub connecting people and art.
Building density in Lyon’s central districts, combined with the goal of preserving the museum’s historic character and Place des Terreaux, informs the planning of museum space.
Paired with the nearly unused overhead area of the interior gallery, this context offers a strong chance to reorganize the courtyard and establish fresh exhibition and educational areas.
Research into the museum’s integration within the city, its internal layout, and future directions highlights the courtyard’s high spatial value as a resource for new exhibition and educational zones, as well as a hub connecting people and art.
Building density in Lyon’s central districts, combined with the goal of preserving the museum’s historic character and Place des Terreaux, informs the planning of museum space.
Paired with the nearly unused overhead area of the interior gallery, this context offers a strong chance to reorganize the courtyard and establish fresh exhibition and educational areas.
A renewed emphasis on shared areas. The courtyard functions as an open urban public space.
Building on multi-functional use, we propose merging public urban center roles into the exhibition space’s design, enriching the area with additional activities and events. Granting open access to the museum courtyard—for people and new exhibition and public spaces within—enables integrating the museum into urban life. Concentrating social connections in one place supports cultural interaction, the core aim of this approach.
The “open courtyard” concept takes shape through several cross-cutting passages at RDC E and Place des Terreaux levels,
oriented toward the street from three sides, replacing current store locations.
This method creates multiple open entrances to the courtyard, weaving it into the broader network of urban public spaces.
Building on multi-functional use, we propose merging public urban center roles into the exhibition space’s design, enriching the area with additional activities and events. Granting open access to the museum courtyard—for people and new exhibition and public spaces within—enables integrating the museum into urban life. Concentrating social connections in one place supports cultural interaction, the core aim of this approach.
The “open courtyard” concept takes shape through several cross-cutting passages at RDC E and Place des Terreaux levels,
oriented toward the street from three sides, replacing current store locations.
This method creates multiple open entrances to the courtyard, weaving it into the broader network of urban public spaces.
The project’s central idea is to build a new structure within the museum’s rectangular space, enabling contemporary art exhibitions, meetings and lectures, installations, and performances. This design builds on the existing courtyard layout, along with the size and placement of primary pathways.
This addition provides new exhibition and public areas, educational zones, storage for exhibits, a tickets office, and a reception space on the underground level. Thanks to a translucent coating, the courtyard becomes part of the museum’s interior. A tension-based structural roof of acrylic glass, fitted with rubber buffers and neoprene strips, covers the entire courtyard.
Because of the stretched cable system, this approach reduces the steel needed for the roof covering, helping preserve natural light reaching the yard.
This addition provides new exhibition and public areas, educational zones, storage for exhibits, a tickets office, and a reception space on the underground level. Thanks to a translucent coating, the courtyard becomes part of the museum’s interior. A tension-based structural roof of acrylic glass, fitted with rubber buffers and neoprene strips, covers the entire courtyard.
Because of the stretched cable system, this approach reduces the steel needed for the roof covering, helping preserve natural light reaching the yard.
The project’s primary goal was to design a flexible exhibition area that integrates thoughtfully with the building’s existing layout while expanding the museum’s role by introducing fresh interpretations and activities. The roof structure enables visitors to access new areas freely and supports creating an inclusive rooftop space. Because the courtyard opens toward the city, it invites a renewed perspective on the museum’s design and reveals new ways culture and urban life can connect.