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CURATED ATLAS FOR CONTEMPORARY DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE
(Arles, France)(Architecture)(Architecture Directory)2024-08-27

Luma Arles

Luma Arles, designed by Frank Gehry, is a cultural hub in Arles, France. Its centerpiece is a 56-meter-high tower clad in shimmering stainless steel panels, reflecting the light and inspired by the local landscape and Van Gogh’s “Starry Night.” The futuristic design contrasts with the restored industrial buildings on site, creating a harmony between past and present.

 Luma Arles is a cultural complex that includes seven buildings. The most prominent among these is the 56-meter-high tower designed by Frank Gehry, which serves as the centerpiece. The other six buildings are renovated industrial structures from the 19th century, repurposed to host various exhibitions, workshops, and artistic activities
Luma Arles is a cultural complex that includes seven buildings. The most prominent among these is the 56-meter-high tower designed by Frank Gehry, which serves as the centerpiece. The other six buildings are renovated industrial structures from the 19th century, repurposed to host various exhibitions, workshops, and artistic activities

Luma Arles is a cultural complex in the city of Arles, France, known for its avant-garde architecture, particularly the central tower designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry.

The 56-meter-high tower, often compared to a shimmering metal mountain, is clad in 11,000 irregularly shaped stainless steel panels that reflect the ever-changing light, creating a dynamic and sculptural form. The building's structure is a blend of Gehry's signature deconstructivist style and inspiration from Arles' historical and natural surroundings, including the rugged landscape of the nearby Alpilles mountains and Vincent van Gogh's famous "Starry Night."

Inside, the tower houses a mix of exhibition spaces, research facilities, and artist studios, all arranged around a central atrium that floods the interior with natural light. The Luma Arles complex also features refurbished industrial buildings, which blend seamlessly with Gehry's futuristic design, creating a dialogue between the past and the present. This architectural masterpiece serves as the heart of the Luma Foundation's artistic and cultural initiatives, making it a beacon of innovation and creativity.

At night, Luma Arles transforms into a captivating spectacle. The Gehry-designed tower, with its irregular stainless steel panels, reflects and refracts artificial light, creating a shimmering, almost otherworldly appearance against the dark sky.
At night, Luma Arles transforms into a captivating spectacle. The Gehry-designed tower, with its irregular stainless steel panels, reflects and refracts artificial light, creating a shimmering, almost otherworldly appearance against the dark sky.
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The surrounding landscape of LUMA Arles is deeply connected to the natural and cultural heritage of the region. Situated in the historic city of Arles, within the broader region of Provence, the site is bordered by the Rhône River and lies near the Camargue, a vast wetland known for its rich biodiversity.
The surrounding landscape of LUMA Arles is deeply connected to the natural and cultural heritage of the region. Situated in the historic city of Arles, within the broader region of Provence, the site is bordered by the Rhône River and lies near the Camargue, a vast wetland known for its rich biodiversity.
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