Renzo Piano's architecture firm designed the headquarters for the Pathé Foundation, a cinematography organization. It looks like a giant armadillo. Michel Denancé

The site is where the former theater, from the 1800s, stood. Because of the way urban planners developed Paris in the 19th century, the theater was in a cramped neighborhood block.

These built-in space constraints led the firm to replace the original building a domed structure that jutted up, not out. Michel Denancé

By replacing a rectangular structure with a sloping, round one, Sahlmann and his team managed to create over 6,000 extra square feet of courtyard and ground space for the neighbors. Michel Denancé

Lead architect Thorsten Sahlmann says the former building ate up even more of the neighbors’ space.

The architects had to be conscious of how much light the neighboring buildings receive. Michel Denancé

Near the upper levels, the exterior is covered in a perforated aluminum siding that lets you see outward from within.

By replacing a rectangular structure with a sloping, round one, Sahlmann and his team managed to create over 6,000 extra square feet of courtyard and ground space for the neighbors.

You can see out, but you can't see in.

While the original building wasn’t deemed historically significant, the facade was: The sculptures were done by Rodin, when he was a student. Michel Denancé

The entryway atrium leads first to courtyard garden and then to a spiraling staircase that winds up into the dome.

To keep them, the organically shaped building was constructed in two parts.

The building has been both applauded and lambasted for its unusual shape. And yes, it certainly is a controversial design, but at least it gets you talking. Michel Denancé