Open call for "artistic 1%" commission for the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF)

As part of the rehabilitation work on the Richelieu site of the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) located at 58 rue de Richelieu 75002 Paris, OPPIC, as the mandated contracting owner, launched a consultation conducted under a restricted adapted procedure concerning the execution of a work of the "artistic 1%" in application of Decree no. 2016-360, Articles 67-70, of March 25, 2016 relative to public markets, and Decree no. 2002-677 of April 29, 2002, as amended, relative to the obligation to decorate public buildings and specifying the conditions for awarding contracts. This consultation is part of an overall approach of the 1% artistic for the entire Richelieu site, divided into three separate calls for tenders.

The 1% artistic shall contribute to incarnate the current cultural (r)evolution, the work in progress and the associated scientific and cultural program, in order to add a new cultural dimension to the historical element of the research library for all public. Thus, the BnF favours the most visible common spaces: thresholds, inside/outside connections, passages, entrances, and facades. The Vivienne Garden, an emblematic place devoid of any architectural intervention in the restoration project, is especially put forward as a new space offered to the public. A landscaping project is expected for this space. Several other spaces were also identified as candidates for intervention: the main courtyard, the facades overlooking the Rue de Richelieu, possibly the Tubeuf Court. Several principles should be used as guidelines to design the projects: a strong and symbolic visibility in the chosen spaces; an accentuated sense of modernity and freedom in the selected forms, colours, materials, and plant species. The piece may be unusual or original, but its meaning must be general and widely accessible to all public.

Language used: French
Currency used: Euro

Deadline for submission of tenders: June 28, 2018 at 12pm (noon)

Budget with procedural costs included: EUR 800,000 (VAT included)

The call for tenders is available here.

Applicants are invited to download the project file free of charge from the OPPIC dematerialisation platform (PLACE) here. 

Or on request from: f.notton@oppic.fr / e.arambel@oppic.fr / p.mauduit@oppic.fr

Other information on how to participate in this consultation is also available here, under the same reference.