The building will probably be familiar to anyone who has taken the same walk as it certainly stands out in its prosaic residential surroundings. It would probably be one of the most photographed items on that particular walk, but just what is it, and what is the story behind it?
Despite looking vaguely art-deco in form, the structure was actually designed by architects Manolo Nunez-Yanowski and Miriam Teitelbaum in 1991, and houses the Commissariat de Police du 12ème arrondissement (the local police station).
Although the curves of the building are merely derivative, what makes it really noticeable are of course the sculptured human forms jutting out from the balconies on the top floor. Sometimes labelled caryatids in descriptions of the building, these are actually telamons or atlantes, as the figure is most definitely male! In fact, the figure is based on Michelangelo’s dying slave sculpture which can be found today in the Louvre.
Manolo Nunez-Yanowski is very much a postmodern architect, and unsurprisingly worked with Ricardo Bofill on several projects. Indeed, two of their most well-known creations can be seen alongside each other in the town of Noisy le Grand to the east of Paris. The Arènes de Picasso for Nunez-Yanowski (sometimes known as the camembert), and Le Palacio for Bofill.
The sculptures certainly do not give the building a very intimidating air, but then the intention probably was to make the commissariat seem more convivial. It is not known what the police officers who live and work here think about the building though!
Challenge me!
Seen something in Paris that has caught your eye but remains a mystery, or ever wondered about obscure people or events in the city's past? Challenge me to find the answers!
27 comments:
Adam you solved the mystery for me surrounding this building!
What a well researched and detailed response to "my challenge" and with pictures no less of views I could not see from my walk. Thank you. I never ever imagined it's use would be as a police station.
Your blog is fascinating to read. You are my guide to a Paris I might not have a chance to experience.
A curious building and one which reminded me of BBC Broadcasting House in London... at least until I compared the two and realised that, no, they have absolutely nothing in common!
It must be a bit disconcerting for people on the fourth floor to have to look out at the thighs and rears of those over-theatrical atlantes every day!
Tim: especially if you are the archetypal macho policeman!
You're the bestest.... :))))
I particularly subscribe to your last para about a possibly of making the police force looking more human. We all can do with a bit of that - your words in God's ear!
Wonderful news - very, very highly appreciated! I wondered many a times myself.
I love the two comments so far and subscribe to them too! Aaah, the joys of looking at a God's bottoms when going out on the balcony.... lol
You are the best to find this kind of mystery! Interesting and complete as usual!!
The most fascinating is to know what was this neighborhood "l'ilot chalon" before its total reconstruction in late 80's/early 90's....
You can't imagine how much Paris has been gentrified in 30 years...
http://franciscampiglia.over-blog.com/album-1328444.html
Random link - this building features in Olympos by Dan Simmons... Which is why I looked it up.
yup i was reading the simmonds book too.
I went to Paris 2 years ago and did indeed wonder about this beauty. Thanks!
total av antivirus crack
poweriso registration code
any video converter ultimate crack
mediahuman youtube downloader crack
lumion pro crack
DLL Files Fixer Crack
windows tubemate crack
idm crack
driver easy pro crack
ntlite crack
k lite mega codec pack
parallels desktop crack
kraken academy free download
starbound pc gameplay free download
topaz ai gigapixel crack
restoro installer crack
download matlab crack
windows 11 pro product key 2022 keygen
شركة نور الحرمين
شركة خدمات سباكة بالاحساء
شركة خدمات سباكة بالدمام و الخبر
شركة خدمات سباكة بالقطيف
شركة تنظيف بالاحساء
شركة تنظيف بالدمام
Nice post
GiliSoft Video Converter Crack
FonePaw Data Recovery Crack
Octoplus Box Crack
Howdy superb website! Does running a blog similar to this require a great deal of work? I’ve absolutely no understanding of coding however I had been hoping to start my own blog soon.
야한동영상
오피헌터
출장안마
타이마사지
카지노사이트존
I've been troubled for several days with this topic. 바카라사이트, But by chance looking at your post solved my problem! I will leave my blog, so when would you like to visit it?
Very informative blog, thanks for sharing.
Avast Driver Updater
PerfectTUNES With Crack
Final Cut Pro X Crack
I am here now and would just like to say thanks for a remarkable post and a all-round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to look over it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the superb job. Checkout my blog Hosting Coupons
Found your post interesting to read. I can’t wait to see your post soon. 온라인바둑이
Bubble Shooter Games 2 has lots of bubbles, pro color and ball shooting games in 2022. Bubble Shooter Classic is best played with pro friends. Match 3 to pop origin bubbles. This new game is first launched in 2022 game.
CasinoMecca
슬롯커뮤니티
I’m thinking some of my readers might find a bit of this interesting. Do you mind if I post a clip from this and link back? Thanks 사설토토
Royalcasino945
oncasino
It’s very informative and you are obviously very knowledgeable content on your site.
토토
Really nice and interesting post. I was looking for this kind of information and enjoyed reading this one. 온라인경마
Thanks For sharing such valuable information. 스포츠토토
Post a Comment