Snøhetta has been selected to restore and modernise the historic Natural History Museum of Lille in northern France, with a reopening scheduled for 2025.
The architecture firm will restore the building’s original historic façades and remove its most recent and less functional extensions.
The exhibition spaces, storage areas and collections will be connected through a new contemporary extension to connect the three arms of the existing building, offering improved accessibility and circulation.
“In such a significant city with long-established traditions within culture and arts, we are excited to work on a project which is paying homage to and respecting the heritage as well as looking ahead,” said Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, co-founder of Snøhetta.
“Through our design, we aim to revitalize the museum as a landmark and aspire to find the most sustainable solutions, contributing to the city of Lille’s sustainability goals.”
Snøhetta will also introduce new areas and flexible spaces to offer an immersive visitor experience. Additionally, the extension will make the new thematic gardens in the museum’s courtyards more visible and accessible.
In collaboration with exhibit designer Adeline Rispal, Snøhetta will create new welcome spaces and dedicated children’s areas.
Sustainable museum operations
“The Snøhetta team has thoroughly rethought the design of the museum to propose an ambitious scientific program for the Lille Natural History Museum,” said Judith Pargamin, director of the Natural History Museum of Lille.
“While the museum is a place where one dreams, grows and learns, it is also a tool that must enable the efficient management and upkeep of the thousands of pieces in its collections.”
The project will make the museum’s operations more sustainable. Snøhetta will introduce high-performance insulation and sealing, and rainwater will be harvested for reuse.
Earlier this year, Snøhetta unveiled the design for its largest project in Japan to date, a mixed-use development in Tokyo with retail outlets, a hotel, and art and cultural experiences.
Images: Snøhetta
