Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations awarded top honours from ACI

Source: American Concrete Institute https://www.concrete.org/aboutaci/honorsandawards/awards/projectawards/pastwinners.aspx

MuCEM : Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations. Marseille, France.

As an icon of urban rejuvenation located on the banks of the 2600-year-old harbor at Marseille, France, the 3-exhibition story MuCEM building houses the first French National museum outside of Paris. It was visited by 3.4 million people during its first 15 months, much more than expected. At the end of the historic pier where immigrants from all Mediterranean countries once landed, the structure blends with the surrounding mineral and stone landscape, presenting a veiled, cubic appearance that is linked to the city with ultra-thin footbridges. Efficient, wide exhibition halls are surrounded by a sheltered climbing promenade facing the sea up to the scenic terrace.

The MuCEM represents an outstanding architectural achievement made possible with the use of outstanding concrete materials and components. The technical performances of ultra-high performance fibre-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) were uniquely applied for the first time at such a scale for a building structure in order to widen exhibition spaces, minimize material consumption and provide shelter while allowing natural light to filter through.

Project Size: 2 x 72 x 25 m, floor plans 22,000 m², 2 access footbridges 62 + 115 m-long

Project Team Members: Owner: OPPIC; Architect of Record: Rudy Ricciotti; Architecte Engineer of Record: SICA / ASSYSTEM; General Contractor: Dumez (Vinci Group); Concrete Contractor: Bonna Sabla; Concrete Supplier: Lafarge

Nominating ACI Chapter: Paris