The History Of Les Docks In 1 Minute

Almost a century later, in 2004, the City of Paris acquired the building from the PAP with the aim of transforming the 12,000-square-meter space, which had for 20 years been a carpet warehouse and examination center, into an architectural feature ‘that would define Paris in the 21st century’ and showcase a creative, urban, and contemporary lifestyle.

Jakob + MacFarlane, a Parisian firm headed by Frenchman Dominique Jakob and New Zealander Brendan MacFarlane, won the tender process with their plan to preserve the original structure while creating a ‘non-standard architectural object.’ At the same time as exposing the building’s skeleton, the architects engineered a new skin for its Seine-facing side, inspired by the perpetual motion of the river itself. The ‘Plug-Over’ was created by digitally modeling a distorted version of the pre-existing framework. The tubular metal structure was covered with a stenciled glass sheath and transplanted onto the building. The roof terrace, which is the largest in Paris, is a mixture of planting and wooden matting and also features a lighting design by artist Yann Kersalé.

Renovations began in 2007, and Les Docks was officially opened to the public in the spring of 2012. As with Morin-Goustiaux’s design, the building created a storm of mixed reactions. Some claimed it ‘re-energize[d] historic Paris’ and others, in mock bemusement, said it was ‘something that must be called architecture.’

Today, Les Docks houses the Institut Français de la Mode, a world-renowned fashion school, Art Ludique – Le Musée, which specializes in comic books, manga, cinema, live animation, and video games, as well as galleries, shops, restaurants, and nightclubs. It is also a popular venue for fashion shows, trade fairs, including Paris Design Week’s ‘Now! Le Off’ section, and conferences.

📅 Open every day, 10:00am to midnight. (Check websites for night club opening times.)