Paris's revamped Rodin Museum offers fascinating glimpse into famed artist's life
A museum dedicated to Auguste Rodin has reopened in Paris on the 175th anniversary of his birth.
Hôtel Biron – the 18th century Parisian mansion that houses the museum – partially shut in 2012 and closed to the public completely at the start of 2015 for a €16m (US$17.1m, £11.3m) overhaul. This included urgent floor repairs and a complete redesign of its interiors – the first such redesign since Rodin himself used the venue as a studio until his death in 1917.
For the revamp, Richard Duplat acted as chief architect of historical monuments, while Atelier de l’Ile’s Domonique Brard was charged with exhibition design. English paint manufacturer Farrow & Ball was also involved, handling colour enhancement.
The museum now offers improved layout and intelligent lighting effects designed to allow visitors to get closer to Rodin’s works and to see them in the best possible way. The exhibition space is spread across 18 rooms, with visitors taking a chronological journey through Rodin’s life and being offered a thematic exploration of his work.
A room titled 'Rodin at the Hôtel Biron’ will be an exact recreation of the space as it was when the sculptor worked and lived there, including its original furniture, works by Rodin himself and pieces from his personal collection. In addition, never-before-seen displays of his work have been included in the revamp.
Rodin, famed for pieces such as “The Thinker” and “The Kiss”, also had a private personal art collection including works by Edvard Munch and Vincent Van Gogh, which are on display for visitors to enjoy.
French Prime Minister, Manuel Valls, inaugurated the fully renovated property on 9 November, with its doors opening to the public today (12 November). Project costs were partially funded by using Rodin's original moulds to cast new bronzes and the remainder came from the French state. Prior to its 2012 closure, the museum welcomed more than 700,000 visitors a year.
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Why shouldn’t sports facilities be beautiful? Across Asia, architects are creating landmark buildings for the public, discovers Christopher de Wolf