Émile Boutmy lecture hall

In the early 1930s, the École libre des sciences politiques, later known as Sciences Po, experienced significant overcrowding, with approximately 2,000 students attending in facilities originally designed for 350. The primary lecture hall, a source of pride from the 1890s, was no longer adequate for the large number of students attending popular lectures. This necessitated a major renovation project. In 1933, René Seydoux, the young registrar, successfully advocated for extensive renovations to the director, Eugène d’Eichthal. The construction of a new lecture hall wing began promptly, built over the garden at 29 rue Saint-Guillaume. This architectural endeavor was designed to optimize space, light, and ventilation. The new wing effectively addressed the overcrowding issue by incorporating two new lecture halls, seating 500 and 300 respectively, along with two large classrooms and a gymnasium. The existing library, housed in an adjacent wing, expanded by utilizing the space of the redundant former lecture hall. The new library section, despite being north-facing, was equipped with wide windows, providing natural light, a significant improvement over the old, windowless, gas-lit library. To prevent the new structure from overshadowing the garden, it was designed in a pyramid shape with setbacks on each floor, ensuring sunlight continued to reach the garden. Within the lecture hall, significant attention was given to climate control. Large blowers in the basement supplied ventilation through numerous Art Deco-grated air vents installed in the floor and along the walls. The hall featured a sloping floor and a mezzanine balcony, meticulously planned to offer unobstructed views for all students. Acoustic considerations led to the walls being covered with a rubber surface to enhance sound quality. For seating, the School collaborated with Jean Prouvé, whose workshops developed innovative two-seater desks. These desks featured oak seats and writing surfaces, connected by a central frame made of folded sheet metal, a signature material of Prouvé known for its ergonomic, economical, and solid qualities. The Boutmy lecture hall has largely retained its original design from the 1930s, with minor updates such as modern stage furniture to allow for a clearer rostrum, digital screens replacing the old blackboard, and safety upgrades to the balcony. The new wing's classrooms and lecture halls were named in tribute to the early directors and professors of the École libre. The main lecture hall was named in honor of Émile Boutmy, the institution's founding father, who established its intellectual vision and curriculum, managed fundraising, acquired properties, and protected the faculty from state nationalization. The second-floor lecture hall initially honored Anatole Leroy-Beaulieu for his expertise in Russian and Eastern affairs and his stance against prejudice. The third-floor classrooms were dedicated to diplomatic history professors Albert Sorel and Albert Vandal. The basement gym was named after René Seydoux, who was instrumental in its construction. In 1994, the second-floor lecture hall was renamed after director Jacques Chapsal, who reformed Sciences Po post-WWII, with Anatole Leroy Beaulieu's name joining Albert Sorel's above the third-floor classrooms, replacing Albert Vandal. Hermartin & C°, comprising Henri Martin and his son Hubert, were the architects responsible for the 1934 lecture hall wing, admired for their professional approach and ability to integrate modern architectural elements thoughtfully. They also designed the main hall, known as La Péniche, and unified the facade of buildings from 23 to 29 Rue Saint-Guillaume in 1952. Their contributions extended to the modern library building at 30 Rue Saint-Guillaume in 1963 and the 56, Saints-Pères building in 1979. During the May 1968 student protests, the Boutmy lecture hall was renamed "Che Guevara" and served as the central hub for general assemblies and student council meetings, embodying the students' demands for greater involvement in the school's governance. Throughout its history, the Boutmy lecture hall has hosted numerous prestigious figures, including Robert Badinter, Kofi Annan, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Karl Lagerfeld, Dany Laferrière, Condoleezza Rice, Michel Serre, and Justin Trudeau, who have delivered major conferences, election speeches, and inaugural lectures. The stage also regularly showcases student talent through speech competitions, theatrical performances, and musical comedies, highlighting the hall's integral role in both academic and extracurricular life at Sciences Po. #SciencesPo #ÉmileBoutmyLectureHall #ArchitecturalRenovation #HigherEducationHistory #JeanProuvé #FrenchArchitecture #StudentLife #HistoricBuildings #SciencesPo #ÉmileBoutmyLectureHall #ArchitecturalRenovation #HigherEducationHistory #JeanProuvé #FrenchArchitecture #StudentLife #HistoricBuildings