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> the structure has weathered significant damage since it was first built in the ’70s

Another case of the architect getting ahead of the materials and engineering available. Frank Lloyd Wright, who designed much more aesthetically pleasing structures than this monstrosity (judging by pictures, can't recall it I saw it the one time I was in Paris), is notorious for leaking roofs.

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It’s one of those buildings that looks ugly on first seeing it, but it definitely grew on me. It’s like a life size hamster play structure

That may be true but lots of buildings need repair after 50 years.

Maybe, but it was already repaired after 20 years or so, spending at the time something like half the original construction costs (without considering inflation):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre_Pompidou

Original constructions costs (opened 1977): 993 Million Francs > 151 M Euro

Renovation (1996-2000): 576 Million Francs > 88 M Euro

Next renovation (2025-2030): 200 M Euro

I presume that a relevant part of this costly renovation is connected with removing asbestos from the outer shell:

https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en/collection/our-building

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