The Pompidou is a living example of "form follows function". Designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano and British architect Richard Rogers.
The structure which opened n 1977 houses the center for late modern art,
as well as the central library, a movie, restaurant, and other exhibition spaces.


The building (also known as the Beauburg, for its location in that part of Paris), has been described as looking "inside-out",
with its structural elements exposed, and color-coded tubes for mechanical system...
green for plumbing, blue ducts for air conditioning systems, yellow for electrical wiring, etc. all of which are exposed.
You can see the glass enclosed escalator on the exterior of the building in this view.

The grounds surrounding the building have huge air ducts painted white, and a fanciful fountain designed by Nikki St. Phalle and Jean Tinguely,
with fanciful moving part commemorating Igor Stravinsky's "Rites of Spring"..