New Yves Saint Laurent cultural centre
Image courtesy of museeyslmarrakech.com
Located near the Jardin Majorelle, acquired by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge in 1980, the new Yves Saint Laurent museum in Marrakech occupies 4000 square metres and includes a hall for temporary exhibitions, research library, 140 seat auditorium, bookshop and terrace café.
Studio KO studied the couturier’s archives and the exterior of the building is designed with the patterns of weft and warp in mind while the interior has the feel of the lining of a designer jacket, velvety and smooth.
One aim of the museum is to become a leading player in the conserving of extraordinary artifacts and the building is designed with a controlled environment which takes into account the local climate.
It houses important garments and accessories lent by the foundation Pierre Berge and the museum’s scenographer Christopher Martin wanted to create more than just a retrospective of Yves Saint Laurent’s work. The pea coat, the Mondrian dress, ‘le smoking’ and the safari jacket are all displayed as a voyage into the heart of what influenced the designer.
The Pierre Berge Auditorium created by Studio KO and Theatre Projects will be used as a recital hall, conference venue or projection room. The cultural programme includes Im projection and high definition live broadcasts in partnership with Frapod and L’Opera de Paris.