In January 2003, the leadership of the Pomipidou Center in Paris and the French Minister of Culture announced their intention to build a branch of the museum in Metz. A competition was held, six finalists were identified, and finally the winner, Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, was announced. He will work with Jean de Gastin and Philippe Gumushdian to build the first Pompidou branch.
The huge awning-type structure - the center of the complex - consists of a huge number of hexagonal modules. Three galleries form a rectangular building - the main part of the building (1500 sq. M). Its windows look in three main directions - the cathedral, the station and the castle. The materials used are wood, metal and Teflon coated frosted glass.
The third place in the competition was taken by "Herzog & de Meuron", the fourth - by FOA, then - NOX and Dominique Perrault.
The center is due to open to the public by 2007.
