Grande Gallerie de l'Évolution, Paris

An integral part of the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris, in the northern portion of the Jardin des Plantes, the Grande Galerie de l’Evolution is the product of an important architectural and museum renovation project completed in 1994. Now a permanent exhibition space dedicated to the diversity of living creatures and the evolution of life, the Galerie houses an extraordinary collection of natural specimens, organized according to a new environmental and evolutionary approach. The itinerary, starting from the large central nave, overlooked by the two upper galleries, shows great compositional balance, rational design and care for detail. In addition, a clever use of technology and construction materials, combined with the general fit-out choices, comprising a range of custom-made furniture pieces, give life to a spectacular ensemble that is also able to fulfill a role of social communication.