The new building for the FRAC is the first of new contemporary art museums tobe realized in France. It combines the main functions of conservation, exhibitingas well as diffusion of knowledge about art throughout a library, a conferenceroom and educational services. The main façade offers a silent setting in respectto Nemours art work installed in front of the FRAC, but, inside, the buildingreveals itself in an unexpected complexity, catching the visitor by the strength fulland sensual expression of the vertical void running over the entire building’sheight.

From this void, the museum’s main functions are clearly readable, dispatchingand articulating the different spaces in three dimensions along a progressivepromenade of discovery and changing perception, from the basement’s open topublic storage till the library on top. This museum, though modest in size, ischallenging as a local landmark for contemporary art and combining all thefunctions needed in a densely articulated ensemble realized within the frame of atight budget.