Narbo Via: Foster + Partners : Agence Capia, Studio Adrien Gardère

Abstract

La 4e de couverture indique : "Raised on podium, Narbo Via provides a sense of restrained civic and architectural monumentality at the entrance to the city of Narbonne. Designed by the architects Foster + Partners, its large, noble volumes and axial arrangement are reminiscent of roman archetypes and reflect the raw nature ot its ancient exhibits- remarkable collection of objects that were formerly split up between three museums and storage facilities. The challenge facing Foster + Partners, Capia and Studio Adrien Gardère- the team based in London, Nimes and Paris respectively -was to interconnect these eclectic collections, which will change and grow over time, within a simple yet flexible architectural language, one imbued with a le sense of accessibility and connection to history and culture - essential for this museum of 'living antiquity. This world-class team has produced a building whose design draws its inspiration from the archaeological and from the historic landscape that surrounds it. The architectural project meets all the conservation and presentation requirements for archaeological collections centrepiece of the museum is the Lapidary Wall, an interactive mosaic of stone and light that displays a unique collection of ancient stone relief funerary blocks and stands in a majestic space at the public heart of the building."