Philharmonie de Paris

The Philharmonie de Paris stands as a jagged, metallic hill of aluminum shingles rising sharply above the Parc de la Villette. Jean Nouvel designed this concert hall to break away from the traditional shoebox shape of European venues. Inside, the seats wrap around the stage in floating balconies, placing the furthest listener just thirty-two meters from the conductor. When the building opened in twenty-fifteen, its lead architect refused to attend the ceremony, citing unfinished construction and technical disagreements with the project organizers.