The Jean-Marie TjibaouCultural Center

Nouméa, New Caledonia

Country Information New Caledonia is located

approximately 700 miles east of Australia and 900 miles northwest of New Zealand

It is not a self-governing nation, and is debating on whether or not to leave the French Republic

Having been a French colony, their main language is French, but there are also 33 other languages spoken

Estimated Population: 249,000

Building Location and Background

The Tjibaou Cultural Center is located in the Nouméa commune of New Caledonia

It was built to honor Jean-Marie Tjibaou, a political leader who was assassinated in 1989 for leading protests against France

Nouméa

Designer: Renzo Piano Renzo Piano (born 14 September,

1937) is a world renowned Italian architect and recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, AIA Gold Medal, Kyoto Prize and the Sonning Prize.

The main buildings of the cultural center were given a deliberate "unfinished" appearance as a reminder that Kanak culture is still in the process of becoming - a belief held by the deceased Kanak leader Jean-Marie

They were also designed to look like the huts the Kanak people live in

Building Information There are 10 total “huts” all of

different dimensions that cover a total area of 7,650m², costing an estimated 55 million US dollars

The largest is 28 meters high, approximately the size of a nine story building

Materials used include: steel, aluminum, concrete, glass and Iroko

Iroko is native to tropical Africa. It is very durable and almost completely immune to insects, fungi, and mold

Building Information Each of the Tjibaou 'houses' serves a

separate, specific purpose and all 10 are connected by an indoor 'backbone'; the central path common to traditional native villages

The 'houses' are further organized into three villages and the first of these is dedicated to exhibition activities and also incorporates a 400-seat auditorium and recording studio for performance arts

The second village houses offices for historians, researchers, exhibition curators, and administrative staff. The 'houses' in front of these offices are occupied by a conference hall and multimedia library

A third village, at the end of the path is located a little apart from the flow of visitors and its huts are used as studios for dance, painting, sculpture and music