A richly illustrated book that reveals the hidden story behind the colors of the Centre Pompidou, which now stand out as a self-evident presence in the landscape of France’s capital city.

Boris Hamzeian, a specialist in the architectural history of the Centre Pompidou, offers a lively and stimulating account of the years leading up to the building’s inauguration. He revisits the battles that preceded the selection of this singular structure’s four Pop colors, where each flow network (air, water, fire, people) can be identified at a glance thanks to its distinctive color. Drawing on extensive documentary research, he reconstructs the intense debates, marked by alliances, refusals, strong opinions, and betrayals, that led to the final choice, which is now iconic.