Tomorrow sees the opening of the New Department of Islamic Art by architects Rudy Ricciotti and Mario Bellini. The new spaces are located within the old Cour Visconti of the Musée du Louvre. The creation of a sub-ground-level space required the courtyard to be excavated into the ground by 12 meters.

The construction, described as 'a pocket handkerchief', involved covering the outside courtyard with an undulating roof made out of Lafarge concrete. The new wing costs approximately 100m Euros and will house the largest collection of Islamic art in Europe.

The galleries created have been designed so that they do not detract from the historical façades, whilst providing 2,800 square meters of exhibition space, bathed in discreet natural lighting. For more information click the following link for the online site of Musée du Louvre Musée du Louvre.