After four years of construction, the new Department of Islamic Art gallery at Paris’ Louvre Museum was unveiled late last year—and it looks like a giant floating magic carpet.
The intriguing fabric-like canopy that “hovers” over the gallery—which is submerged 12 meters underground—is actually made of glass and aluminum.
Featuring a intricate geometric pattern of triangles, his undulating roof is the result of intensive 3D computer modelling that determines the precise position and angle of each triangular panel.
Protecting light sensitive exhibits from the sun, visitors will have to slip under this “magic carpet” to get to the cool subterranean interiors of the gallery.
View images of the gallery’s construction process below:
[via Wired UK]