"Set on a prominent site in the central part of Paris a short distance from the Church of Notre Dame, the Arab Institute is one of the Grands Projets encouraged by the French President during the 1980s. It is an urban scheme of great character. It was won in competition and houses a Franco-Arabian 'World' Institute representing 19 countries. Its purpose is to foster knowledge of Arab world culture by the exchange of information on the arts, sciences and modern technologies. It incorporates some well lit exhibition areas, a museum, library, a 300-seat hall and a restaurant, as well as offices and car parking. Internally a superb feature is the glass and steel stairs and lift enclosure, which can be seen from most parts of the building."

— Dennis Sharp. Twentieth Century Architecture: a Visual History. p394.

Details

Address: Rue de Fosses Saint-Bernard.
Telephone: 40.51.38.38.

On the left back of the Seine, with a view of Notre Dame de Paris, just down the river, framed in the slot between the curved and rectangular masses.

"The huge south-facing garden courtyard wall has been described as a 60m 'Venetian blind', although its appearance is more patently Islamic in decorative terms. It is, however, an ocular device of striking originality, made up of numerous and variously dimensioned metallic diaphragms set in pierced metal borders. These diaphragms operate like a camera lens to control the sun's penetration into the interior of the building. The changes to the irises are dramatically revealed internally while externally a subtle density pattern can be observed. Thus the whole effect is like a giant Islamic pierced screen, giving significance and an audacious brilliance to this remarkable building."

— Dennis Sharp. Twentieth Century Architecture: a Visual History. p394.