Located in a nineteenth century theatre, La GAITE LYRIQUE is dedicated to the arts and music of the digital era.

Manuelle Gautrand at ‘La GAITE LYRIQUE’. © Manuelle Gautrand Architecture

Located in the heart of Paris, La GAITE LYRIQUE by Manuelle Gautrand Architecture is dedicated to the arts and music of the digital era. It is a stage for concerts, performances, multimedia shows, exhibitions, lectures and screenings. La GAITE LYRIQUE explores digital cultures in all its forms: music, graphic art, video, film, games, theatre and dance. Located in a nineteenth century theatre, it has two multi-purpose halls, an auditorium, exhibitions spaces and work and production studios. Auxiliary functions include a resource centre, a videogame arcade and two cafes.

In 2003 the City of Paris launched a competition in order to create a space dedicated to contemporary music and digital arts, won by Manuelle Gautrand Architecture. The architect was challenged to formulate a detailed program based on the intentions of the client (City of Paris) that fits the spatial possibilities of the building. Manuelle Gautrand designed a building that assumes random and unexpected functions adjusting to the needs of the artists and the public as well.

The project is designed according to the “box within a box” principle in order to isolate the functions and provide the required sound insulation to and from the exterior. There are thus three successive envelopes that fit inside each other. Two of the external envelopes include all service areas and vertical circulation. Inside, the program is organised around two types of spaces, the concert halls/stages (main hall, small hall and auditorium) and the public ‘breathing’ spaces.

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Mobility and flexibility in ‘La GAITE LYRIQUE.’

Photo: © Jean Harixcalde.

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The restoration of the ‘La GAITE LYRIQUE.’

Photo: © Philippe Ruault

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The flexible stages of ‘La GAITE LYRIQUE.’

Photo: © Vincent Fillon

Level 0. © Manuelle Gautrand Architecture

Level +1. © Manuelle Gautrand Architecture

Level +2. © Manuelle Gautrand Architecture

Level +4. © Manuelle Gautrand Architecture

Level +6. © Manuelle Gautrand Architecture

Level -1. © Manuelle Gautrand Architecture

Section. © Manuelle Gautrand Architecture

Section. © Manuelle Gautrand Architecture

Perspective section. © Manuelle Gautrand Architecture

Site plan. © Manuelle Gautrand Architecture

Concept. © Manuelle Gautrand Architecture

ARCHITECT: Manuelle Gautrand Architecture, Paris, France. CLIENT: City of Paris. LOCATION: 3 bis rue Papin, 75003 Paris, France 8. DESCRIPTION: Cultural. DATE: 2011. No part of this web site may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Morfae and the copyright owner.