Concept

The renovation of the Art Nouveau-style Old England building was a part of an upgrade to the Place Royale and involved fitting out the Museum of Modern Art and the Bellevue museum.

A decision was made for a hard restoration in order to restore the original Art Nouveau facade to its former glory. In so doing, the facade's exceptional architectural value made it the museum's signature.

The Musical Instruments Museum consists of two buildings – the Saintenoy and the Guimard buildings in the Rue Montagne de la Cour and on the Place Royale respectively. The Saintenoy building was designated as the main entrance and communications area by virtue of difficulties with its climate control and the presence of an all-important stairwell ensuring rapid vertical circulation between its seven floors.