Landmarks don't come much more iconic than the Eiffel Tower, but if you've ever visited it in person you may have found the first floor mildly underwhelming. Architectural firm Moatti-Rivière aims to change this, and add some sustainable technology to the mix, during a redevelopment of the tower's first floor that's currently underway.
First begun in 2012 and due for completion in August of this year, the redevelopment tackles a space measuring some 4,586 sq m (49,363 sq ft), out of the first floor's total available floorspace of 5,420 sq m (58,340 sq ft). The project's budget is €25 million (roughly US$34.6 million) and the Eiffel Tower remains open to the public throughout the process.
Once completed, accessibility for disabled visitors will be greatly improved, and the newly renovated floor will also feature rebuilt reception and conference rooms, a visitor center, restaurants, a museum space, pavilions and shops. Interestingly, a glass floor area is set to be installed, affording a view from 57 m (187 ft) up.
Moatti-Rivière name-checks a shopping list of sustainable technology slated for installation on the tower – solar panels are intended for the pavilion roofs, while wind turbines, a rainwater catchment system, and LED lighting also feature.
Further details on the project are rather slim at present, so we're unable to comment on the impact that the green tech will have on the Eiffel Tower's presumably huge carbon footprint. We've reached out to Moatti-Rivière for more information, and will keep you posted.
Source: Moatti-Rivière via Arch Daily
