Architect Defends National Assembly Pavilion Design Amidst Heritage Row

Alain Moatti, architect for the new National Assembly pavilion, has defended the project's design against criticism, asserting it "does not denature" the historic Palais Bourbon. The 52.8 million euro project, slated for completion in 2028, involves replacing a 19th-century building with a modern structure featuring extensive underground spaces. Moatti, from the Moatti & Rivière agency, stated the pavilion aims to accommodate "new uses for contemporary visitors" and improve reception facilities. The design has faced opposition from heritage protection groups like Sites & Monuments and public figures, with a petition against it gathering nearly 100,000 signatures. Moatti highlighted his agency's experience with major institutions, including work on the Eiffel Tower and Hôtel de la Marine, emphasizing a commitment to preserving heritage while integrating contemporary elements. He clarified that the new building's visible height is 8 meters, not the 4,000 square meters figure sometimes cited for the entire structure, and that the majority of the space is underground and invisible. The glass facade is intended to echo the Palais's colonnade and symbolize republican values. Moatti acknowledged the project might be "disruptive" but framed it as a continuation of the ongoing dialogue between old and new.

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Our agency has renovated the first floor of the Eiffel Tower, built the Historial Charles de Gaulle at Les Invalides and worked on the Hôtel de la Marine.