FRAC Grand Large
The Frac Grand Large – Hauts-de-France is a contemporary art institution in Dunkirk, France. It was founded in 1982 as part of a national network of Regional Contemporary Art Collections (FRACs) and its aim is to make art accessible to the public through exhibitions and collaborations with cultural and educational institutions.
In 2013, it moved into a new building designed by the architectural duo Lacaton & Vassal. The site used to be home to Dunkirk's national shipyards and includes the AP2 prefabrication hall, a massive structure built in 1947 and known as "The Cathedral" for its role in constructing France's largest ships. The architects didn't demolish it though, they kept it and built an identical twin structure next to it, so you can see the difference between the two. There's a central internal street that connects the two buildings, and you can get straight to the Frac from it. This street starts at the Grand Large footbridge, which was designed by Brigit de Kosmi, and it links the museum to the Malo-les-Bains dyke. The Frac's glass and insulated front forms a natural climate control system and lets you see the port.
Inside, the Frac is a flexible, modular space spread across six levels, allowing for dynamic exhibitions and curatorial experimentation.Its design includes traditional gallery spaces, workshops, offices and community-oriented areas, reinforcing its role as a hub for contemporary creativity.
By preserving industrial heritage while fostering modern artistic expression, Frac Grand Large stands as a bridge between history, architecture, and contemporary art.
