Yvon Lambert began collecting and dealing art in the 1960's. Recognizing the United States' artistic prowess in the formative years of contemporary art, Lambert quickly became a formidable force in the international art scene. His gallery and collection moved from Paris to Avignon in 2000, hosting an unmatched selection of artists, the likes of Cy Twombly, Sol LeWitt and Jean-Michel Basquiat.



Recently, the collection's administration deemed the sructures to be in need of a renovation and an extension. A request for proposals was launched for the creation of the new museum in the form of an architecture competition, which was won by French architecture studio Berger & Berger. Led by siblings Cyrille and Laurent Berger, the studio embarked on a multi-year design journey, crafting a new home for one of Europe's most dynamic collections of art.



The studio was tasked with renovating Hôtel de Caumont and its neighbour, the Hôtel de Montfaucon. To connect the two separate spaces, they employed three different structures, each of them with their own distinctive volumes. The first of the three volumes is an atrium to connect the two buildings. Built from white concrete, it forms a stunningly minimal space, with a spiral staircase and an oculus roof. Having no windows, the only light comes from the top, complimented by unique bodies of artificial lighting.





Managing natural and artificial light has been a major focus of the project. The second of the three volumes, a prominent 5.5m tall white concrete rectangle is specifically designed with taller artworks in mind. It features a coffered ceiling that creates a grid of square skylights. This way, direct sunlight cannot reach the floor or the walls of the volume thus protecting the works on display.





The third volume runs towards the back of the site, specifically designed for sculptural pieces. Apart from creating entirely new spaces, the Bergers also renovated much of the original buildings, adding some much needed exhibition spaces to the basement.





Learn more about the project on Berger & Berger's website.