What if I told you this striking building, the Fondation Avicenne, was once a hotbed of student protest? Originally called the Maison de l’Iran, it was built in 1969 to house Iranian students attending universities in Paris. It quickly became a focal point for those opposing the Shah of Iran’s regime. By 1972, the Iranian government ceded the building and it was renamed Fondation Avicenne in honor of the Persian polymath. The structure itself, dramatically suspended above the busy périphérique, is a testament to its architects’ bold vision. Claude Parent, Lossem Foroughi, and Hedar Ghiai had to contend with the unstable ground, riddled with old quarries. Their ingenious solution? Three massive steel portals, each supporting two four-story blocks of rooms, seemingly floating above the ground. This unique design, a marvel of engineering, contributed to its listing as a historical monument in 2008. In a way, the Fondation Avicenne embodies resilience and transformation – a symbol of intellectual freedom rising above challenging circumstances.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.