Maison Poincaré : Maths in a different way ! (janv-dec 2022)022)

A New, Unique Space in France

The importance of mathematics continues to grow. Today, 2.4 million jobs in France depend on it. The digital revolution and the expansion of the data economy are expected to further accelerate this trend and strengthen the role of mathematics across all sectors of society.

Institut Henri Poincaré (IHP), a center of excellence in mathematics and theoretical physics, commonly referred to as the “House of Mathematics and Theoretical Physics”, located on the Curie campus, will expand in 2021 to occupy the Jean Perrin building across the street. Initiated by Cédric Villani, Fields Medalist 2010, when he was director of the IHP, the IHP expansion project has been led since 2018 by Sylvie Benzoni:

"Housed in the former Jean Perrin laboratory, the Maison Poincaré will be a one-of-a-kind space where scientists, middle and high school students, teachers, and all science enthusiasts will come together," she explains.

In practical terms, the project involves increasing space and improving facilities for researchers to meet international standards, creating a permanent and temporary exhibition space dedicated to mathematics and its interactions with other disciplines, and developing links with the economic sector.

The IHP is committed to keeping partners and the public informed about the progress of this ambitious project and its key milestones. The spirit and philosophy of this House can be explored through the film “Maison des Maths, Chapter 1”, which includes a tour of the building and presents the project’s objectives through contributions from Jean-Philippe Uzan and Cédric Villani, both initiators of the project.

Chapter 2 presents the winning architectural project from the competition launched by Sorbonne University (formerly Pierre and Marie Curie University), delegated to EPAURIF, which will house the Maison Poincaré starting in 2023.