zoom_in Click to enlarge

Gae Aulenti

▲ ▼

description Gae Aulenti Overview

Gae Aulenti (1927-2012) was an Italian architect and designer known for her work on major museum interiors and adaptive reuse projects. Her most prominent commission was the conversion of the former Gare d'Orsay railway station in Paris into the Musée d'Orsay, completed in 1986. She also designed the Museo Nacional d'Art de Catalunya in Barcelona and oversaw renovations of the Palazzo Grassi in Venice for art exhibitions. Aulenti worked in industrial and interior design as well, creating furniture for companies including Zanotta and Artemide.

help Gae Aulenti FAQ

What is Gae Aulenti's most famous architectural conversion?

Gae Aulenti is globally recognized for transforming the historic Gare d'Orsay railway station in Paris into the Musée d'Orsay. Her masterful 1986 conversion preserved the grand Beaux-Arts architecture while adapting the vast interior to house a massive collection of Impressionist art.

Did Gae Aulenti design any other prominent museums?

Yes, in addition to the Musée d'Orsay, Aulenti was commissioned to convert the former Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, which reopened in 2003. She also led the renovation of the Palau Nacional in Barcelona to house the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.

Was Gae Aulenti involved in industrial or furniture design?

Absolutely, Gae Aulenti was a prominent industrial designer who created several iconic mid-century pieces for brands like Artemide and Zanotta. Her most famous furniture design is the "Tavolo con Ruote," a minimalist glass table resting on four heavy industrial rubber wheels.

What is Gae Aulenti's connection to the Pompidou Centre in Paris?

While she did not design the Pompidou Centre itself, Aulenti was commissioned to design its interior spaces, specifically the Musée National d'Art Moderne in 1985. She carefully organized the galleries to contrast the building's radical exterior architecture with quiet, enclosed viewing rooms.