Why did you choose to use concrete for this project?
We wanted to respect the historical dimension of the Arsenal Pavilion in Paris, yet we were seeking to maximize the space. That is why we chose a shell installed inside the building. The important issue was: what would this shell be built of ? We wanted a unique, monolithic material which would embrace the shape of the shell. A solution using metal was too heavy and unacceptable with respect to fire safety. Wood was too theatrical, composite material too sophisticated and too many connotations. A mineral solution was all that remained, yet concrete is a problematic material, and one which is often criticized. This created a real challenge for the use of concrete in the Arsenal Pavilion. We wanted to use concrete "in the rough", for its immediate, natural qualities. The tactility is cold, the surface reveals the depth of the structure, and the sonority is very special. Plus, it can be shaped, cast in a mold.