Lafarge Concrete is the Perfect Match for Architectural Daring at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France

Lafarge has worked in close partnership with the architects to supply the most appropriate materials for the structure, hailed as the most significant museum expansion project since the Louvre's great Pyramid.

Lafarge's ceo Mr Bruno Lafont comments:

"We are delighted to be involved in the new Islamic Arts wing; the wealth and diversity of culture in the treasures it showcases are a perfect reflection of Lafarge values. Architects Rudy Ricciotti and Mario Bellini have succeeded in creating a contemporary structure which enhances the cultural heritage surrounding it. The new wing is a genuine architectural feat, owed to the innovativeuse of concrete. The staircase which links the two exhibition levels, constructed in a single pouring of black concrete, is a particular achievement, both from an artistic and atechnical point of view."

Concrete as the material of choice

Concrete has been used throughout this project, in perfect harmony with the stone of the Louvre.  

Lafarge has enjoyed a close partnership with the Louvre for over 15 years and is a patron of this new wing.

Key figures

- 16 months on site

- 5800 m3 of concrete supplied

- a staircase 16 m long and 13 m³ in volume

- 128 m³ of inner walls in black Agilia® concrete (equivalent to 2 140 m²)

Lafarge is a world leader in building materials and its core businesses of Cement, Aggregates and Concrete hold top ranking positions in their respective markets. Through its network of 68 000 employees across 64 countries Lafarge is deeply committed to wider local cultural involvement. The company invests in iconic projects at the heart of its activities, such as the renovation of the ancient Erbil Citadel in Iraq, or the restoration of Eileen Gray's Villa in the South of France. Through its close association with the national Fondation du Patrimoine, the Group has also contributed to the safeguarding and rehabilitation of France's unprotected rural heritage (including churches, towers, communal wash houses etc.).

Since 1995, Lafarge has been actively engaged in scientific collaboration with the Louvre, through the work its research centre carries out on materials for the benefit of heritage restoration. In the 90s, the research centre thus created an exceptionally resistant material similar to gypseous alabaster in order to create a reproduction of an Assyrian winged bull from Khorsabad housed in Chicago, which is currently on show in the Louvre.

Supported by its world leading research centre on construction materials, Lafarge focuses on innovation across its activities for the benefit of sustainable construction and architectural creativity.

Further information:  http://www.lafarge.com