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The story of the Fondation Maeght's extension is based on a story of friendship between Silvio d'Ascia and Isabelle Maeght since 1993. The duo was the real driving force behind the project, which was born from an informal exchange on the need to create an extension of the Foundation, without modifying the original building and without it being visible! The extension project has matured on paper over the years with an intermediate stage of compliance in 2010 of the existing building by architect Josep Lluís Sert. It was a first work of goldsmith so as not to distort anything of the original architecture. From the very first sketches, Silvio d'Ascia proposed to dig to extend the surface, without affecting the beauty of the building and its inscription in the site.
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The extension is an invisible project: two new galleries into the stone plinth of the existing building. Nothing should have been added, but on the contrary subtracted, by digging into the embankment of the 1960s construction site, to build new spaces, open to the pine forest to the south and in constant dialogue with nature. The magic of the Foundation lies in the close relationship between the inside and the outside. The project extends the original museum tour in a loop, while maintaining the immediate natural contact between the interior and the exterior. After crossing the two galleries, the visitor goes back into the garden and goes back up to the Miró courtyard. The concrete of the project blends harmoniously into its surroundings, creating an aesthetic and functional symbiosis with the surrounding landscape.
Numerous samples were carried out on site so that the outer envelope of the concrete structure could blend into the environment while respecting the geological minerality of the land. The Gourdon quarry was selected to supply aggregates like those present on the site and in accordance with the standards imposed for concrete production, in collaboration with the concrete supplier. Regarding the texture, the choice fell on the use of 15 cm wide raw wood planks, imitating the traditional techniques used by the elders for the construction of existing buildings. From the outside, you can hear the idea of drawers inserted into the earth. Inside the rooms, the travertine on the floor comes from the quarries of Tivoli, near Rome, in a light and very veined tone exactly like the one already found at the Foundation.
The extension project of the Fondation Maeght enlarges the exhibition spaces by 580 m². It is the lowest level and going down, you don't expect that there can be such majestic spaces with a great framing on the pine forest and towards the horizon. There are two main volumes of different sizes, 390 m² and 66 m² respectively, which maintain the same ratio of proportions. Framing of the surrounding landscape punctuates the visitor experience and encourages them to continue towards the outdoor pathway of the Miró Labyrinth. The two spaces connected to the large hall by a 44 m² gallery dedicated to the history of the Foundation and its building (models, original construction drawings, etc.). This gallery adopts the sinusoidal shape of the Miró terrace above. The extension, visible only from the "walkway," perfectly respects Sert’s innovative architecture and offers a new "Promenade": from the exit through the small room to the Giacometti Courtyard, passing through the Miró Courtyard whose large stained glass window created by the artist is restored for the occasion thanks to the Friends of the Foundation. The project thus follows the relationship between art and nature, between solids and voids, in harmonious dialogue between the building, the artworks, and the landscape.
The extension of the Foundation, designed by the architect Silvio d'Ascia, 60 years after the inauguration, is an "invisible project" that respects the magnificent architectural work of Jose Lluis Sert. All while preserving its unique identity and relationship with nature. Silvio has created a silent and surprising dialogue between the before and the after, between yesterday and tomorrow, harmonizing the current volumes "above" with the new rooms "below".
Established in Paris in 2001, Silvio d’Ascia Architecture explores new forms of urbanity, reflecting contemporary issues and ever-evolving social practices. Its projects demonstrate genuine expertise in various typologies such as: Railway stations, exchange hubs, and the enhancement of railway sites (Kenitra TGV Station in Morocco, Porta Susa TGV Station in Turin…); Valorization of historical heritage (Fondation Maeght, Montesanto Station in Naples, elevations in Paris); Digital complexes and urban data center (RATP Tech Center in Paris, Bank of Shanghai, Shanghai Futures).
Silvio d’Ascia approaches each project transversally and sensitively, fueled by a humanistic approach and a reflection on the Genius loci, the spirit of the place. If the Genius Loci is present on a site, or at least has been in the past, then it must be awakened and continue to be brought to life. And it is up to architecture to delicately reveal it. If it is absent, then it must be created, invented!
