This book examines the Carre d 'Art project, a modern library of art and technology inspired by an ancient Roman temple in the French city of Nimes. Located across the street from one of Nimes' most distinctive Roman antiquities, the Roman Maison Carre, sits the Carre d'Art, a media library which also houses an impressive art gallery. Designed by the renowned architect Norman Foster, the Carre d'Art draws from the antiquity of its namesake while ingeniously interacting with the contemporary demands of an urban environment. The result is an urban space, lined with cafes and thronged with people, that has breathed new life into Nimes' social and cultural atmosphere. Filled with photographs, sketches, plans, and commentary on the building's conception and design, this book illustrates how a building project, backed by an enlightened urban planning initiative, can provide a catalyst for reinvigorating the fabric of a city. AUTHOR: Norman Foster is Founder and Chairman of Foster + Partners. Chris Abel is an architectural theorist, critic, and lecturer. ILLUSTRATIONS: 90 illustrations
