Louvre Pyramid?

Question

Why does it have to be pyramid? What's the significance of it being a pyramid?

Answer 1

Ask I. M. Pei, the architect who designed it. His explanation is as follows:

"Formally, it is the most compatible with the architecture of the louvre...

it is also one of the most structurally stable of forms,

which assures its transparency...

as it is constructed of glass and steel,

it signifies a break with the architectural traditions of the past.

it is a work of our time."

Answer 2

The final design was chosen by the President Mitterrand. He probably liked the Egyptian design. It is said that Pei also took his inspiration from the idea of a baroque pyramid project for the celebration of the bi-centenary of the French revolution.

It was the most hated and vilified building in Paris while it was being built. Many people still hate it, some think it cool, most just got used to it but still moan a little about the loss of the beautiful perspective going from the Cour Carree to the Arc de Triomphe and the view one had of the whole Louvre, now cut by that glass and steel thing rising like a shard.

All right, I still don't like it.

Answer 3

The Da Vinci Code claims it's a pyramid to be a sort of locater beacon.

Personally, I had posed this question many times in France while living in Paris and had many of the French aimlessly try and explain it to me.

What I found out is nothing really, I learned more of how the French feel about it.

They'll usually wait to see if you like it then they'll go off as to why they dislike it. If they note that you Le tourist you hate it, then, they'll love it, they'll love it more than eating Fromage Fondue!

I think it was just an innovative design that someone came up with to try the ''new'' out!

When I do think about it though, around this area you have the Place de Concorde with the Egyptian tower and if you look at the way it's laid out it mimics the tower and pyramids of Egypt and how they are laid out.