A concert hall with a sun-chasing sail—Shigeru Ban making sustainability feel like choreography.
Performing arts center in the suburbs of Paris.
Featured in Shigeru Ban's definitive monograph, Shigeru Ban: Complete Works 1985–Today.
Visitor Guide
Walk the perimeter: the building’s best trick is how it changes as you move, with the ‘sail’ reading alternately as tech, veil, and stage set.
From the riverbank looking toward the solar sail, late afternoon; for interiors, pre-show when foyer light and crowd energy peak.
Yes: you can visit during open hours outside of shows (typically Tue–Sat around 11:00–19:00) and attend performances with tickets (prices vary widely by event). Guided visits may require reservation.
The ‘sail’ is not decoration: it’s an environmental device—architecture performing in real time, aligned to sun and energy narratives.
1–3 hours (more with a concert)
Design & Structure
Hybrid performance + environmental design: digital modeling for the elliptical shell and moving solar surface; coordination of acoustic volumes with public promenade routes; structural logic that supports both a refined hall and a kinetic façade element.
Timber (Ban’s signature warmth), glass, steel, and photovoltaic/tech components—materials balancing intimacy, transparency, and infrastructural expression.
Complex curved envelope with integrated kinetic/solar element; engineering challenge is movement, maintenance, and long-term performance in a riverside climate.
More by Shigeru Ban
View all →
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed La Seine Musicale?+
La Seine Musicale was designed by Shigeru Ban and completed in 2017. It is located in Boulogne-Billancourt, France.
Where is La Seine Musicale located?+
La Seine Musicale is located in Boulogne-Billancourt, France. Its coordinates are 48.8238°, 2.2333°.
When was La Seine Musicale built?+
La Seine Musicale was completed in 2017. It was designed by Shigeru Ban.
Can I visit La Seine Musicale?+
La Seine Musicale is a real building in Boulogne-Billancourt that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.