If you want to see a classic example of "green" architecture, before the eco-movement was born, we present to you the Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Center in New Caledonia, South Pacific, a project belonging to the renowned architect Renzo Piano.
The complex has great cultural significance, being built after the model of a traditional Kanak village, in honor of the Kanak people and their assassinated leader, Jean-Marie Tjibaou.
Even though the design of the buildings is modern, you can feel the traditional spirit very well, the architect drawing inspiration for their creation from the huts of the Kanaks and the indigenous population.
The spectacular complex is made up of 10 buildings (pavilions) that serve multiple functions or evoke different themes; it also includes permanent or temporary exhibitions. Some buildings host traditional activities: music, dance, painting, and sculpture, while in the center there is an auditorium, an amphitheater, administrative departments, a conference room, and a library.
Traditional techniques and materials were used for the construction of the buildings, such as iroko wood and bamboo, which intertwine with glass and steel. The roofs function like blinds, helping with the natural ventilation of the buildings and allowing light to enter only when necessary.
Photo source: assets.inhabitat.com
Overall view of this complex
