Henning Larsen

Our redesign of Paris’ largest opera house fulfills a three-decade long legacy. An extended public foyer, expanded backstage infrastructure and a new 800-seat modular space bring new life to the 1989 building while putting it in closer dialogue with its urban surroundings.

In 1983, Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott submitted the winning design for Paris’ Opéra Bastille. Envisioned as a new cultural monument French capital, the opera opened in 1989 as only a partial realization of Ott’s initial design. Now, our vision for an expansion and renovation to the opera brings new life to the Parisian landmark, blending our Scandinavian architectural ethos with the building’s original legacy. The redesign establishes a dual-level ‘indoor street’ in the foyer, providing a more inclusive commons for civic life. Behind the scenes, an extensive renovation of workshop and construction facilities aims to boost productivity and quality of life for the Opéra Bastille’s set and costume crews. Along the Viaduc des Arts, the Opéra Bastille explores the threshold between the natural and urban environments. Following the original vision of Carlos Ott, the extension will create a smooth architectural transition toward the gardens, allowing the Viaduc des Arts’ greenery to flow into the built environment. With an anticipated completion in 2022, the expansion project reimagines performances from both sides of the stage.