Shigeru Ban Designs French Museum Roof

12 May 2010 (Last Updated May 12th, 2010 18:30)

Japanese architect Shigeru Ban has designed a unique timber roof for the new branch of the Pompidou Centre in Metz, France, which opened this week. The wooden roof resembles a huge floppy Chinese hat and is located above a ground-floor glass façade, according to Agence France-P

Japanese architect Shigeru Ban has designed a unique timber roof for the new branch of the Pompidou Centre in Metz, France, which opened this week.

The wooden roof resembles a huge floppy Chinese hat and is located above a ground-floor glass façade, according to Agence France-Presse.

The scheme features three elevated shoebox-shaped galleries, one of which offers views of the city.

Former mayor of Metz Jean-Marie Rausch helped launch the project, which features 5,000m² of gallery space with 8m-high ceilings.

The original Pompidou Centre was designed by architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers.