Georges Fessy

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Should Architecture Be Static? The Possibilities of Kinetic Buildings

Through shapes, colors, and the elements on their facades, many architects have sought to bring a sense of movement to works that are otherwise physically static. Santiago Calatrava, Jean Nouvel, and Frank Gehry are only a few of the masters who managed to provide a dynamic effect to motionless structures, highlighting the work in context using formal strategies borrowed from the plastic arts. In other cases, however, architects have also opted for physically kinetic structures that could bring a unique aesthetic or functional dimension to the work.

The Covered Market of Lamure-sur-Azergues / Élisabeth Polzella Architecte + Atelier NAO

The Covered Market of Lamure-sur-Azergues / Élisabeth Polzella Architecte + Atelier NAO - Exterior Photography, Market, Facade, DoorThe Covered Market of Lamure-sur-Azergues / Élisabeth Polzella Architecte + Atelier NAO - Exterior Photography, Market, Deck, Facade, Beam, Column, DoorThe Covered Market of Lamure-sur-Azergues / Élisabeth Polzella Architecte + Atelier NAO - Interior Photography, Market, Facade, Beam, ColumnThe Covered Market of Lamure-sur-Azergues / Élisabeth Polzella Architecte + Atelier NAO - Interior Photography, Market, Stairs, FacadeThe Covered Market of Lamure-sur-Azergues / Élisabeth Polzella Architecte + Atelier NAO - More Images+ 25

Lamure-sur-Azergues, France
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  250
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2017
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Coquaz & Béal, Farjot Toitures, Mav'Lec
  • Professionals: GEC Rhône-Alpes

Albi Grand Theater / Dominique Perrault Architecture

Albi Grand Theater / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Theater, ChairAlbi Grand Theater / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Theater, FacadeAlbi Grand Theater / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Theater, FacadeAlbi Grand Theater / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Theater, Facade, Handrail, CityscapeAlbi Grand Theater / Dominique Perrault Architecture - More Images+ 43

Spotlight: Jean Nouvel

The winner of the Wolf Prize in 2005 and the Pritzker of 2008, French architect Jean Nouvel has attempted to design each of his projects without any preconceived notions. The result is a variety of projects that, while strikingly different, always demonstrate a delicate play with light and shadow as well as a harmonious balance with their surroundings. It was this diverse approach that led the Pritzker Prize Jury in their citation to characterize Nouvel as primarily "courageous" in his "pursuit of new ideas and his challenge of accepted norms in order to stretch the boundaries of the field."

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Dominique Perrault Named 2015 Praemium Imperiale Laureate

The Japan Art Association (JAA) has named French architect Dominique Perrault winner of the 2015 Praemium Imperiale International Arts Award. Lauded for his "wildly imaginative [or] abstractly minimal" designs, Perrault is known for masterfully blending innovative works with their context.

“Architecture should not be closed on itself, with its back to the context," says Perrault. "It should always be in resonance with the environment, whether natural or urban. We architects should always think about our buildings’ place in the urban design, and about the city itself as a whole.”

The prestigious global arts prize, now in its 27th year, recognizes "outstanding contributions to the development, promotion and progress of the arts" in the fields of architecture, painting, sculpture, music and theater/film. Perrault joins a small handful of architects who have received the award, including James Stirling, Tadao Ando, Alvaro Siza, Richard Rogers, Jean Nouvel, Toyo Ito, Zaha Hadid, Peter Zumthor, David Chipperfield, andJacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron.

All five 2015 Praemium Imperiale laureates include:

Light Matters: Mashrabiyas - Translating Tradition into Dynamic Facades

The delicate mashrabiya has offered effective protection against intense sunlight in the Middle East for several centuries. However, nowadays this traditional Islamic window element with its characteristic latticework is used to cover entire buildings as an oriental ornament, providing local identity and a sun-shading device for cooling. In fact, designers have even transformed the vernacular wooden structure into high-tech responsive daylight systems. 

Jean Nouvel is one of the leading architects who has strongly influenced the debate about modern mashrabiyas. His Institut du monde arabe in Paris was only the precedent to two buildings he designed for the harsh sun of the Middle East: The Doha Tower, which is completely wrapped with a re-interpretation of the mashrabiya, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum with its luminous dome.

More mashrabiyas, after the break...

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Europe Day 2014: A Roundup of EU Architecture

Today is Europe day in the EU, and to celebrate we're rounding up some of the best Europe-inspired architecture. First, two buildings designed for European institutions, the Court of Justice of the European Communities by Dominique Perrault and the Council of Europe by Art & Build Architect. Next, we've got a building which celebrates the achievements of Europeans, the Cultural Centre of European Space Technologies. Finally, two buildings which promote the very notion of Europe: the EU Pavilion by Senat Haliti, a message of hope for the 72% of Kosovans who wish to join the EU; and Le Monolithe by MVRDV, which has the first article of the European Constitution imprinted on the facade - expounding a belief in "a society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity, and equality between women and men prevail."

Novancia Business School / Architecture-Studio

Novancia Business School / Architecture-Studio - Higher EducationNovancia Business School / Architecture-Studio - Higher EducationNovancia Business School / Architecture-Studio - Higher EducationNovancia Business School / Architecture-Studio - Higher EducationNovancia Business School / Architecture-Studio - More Images+ 3

  • Architects: architecturestudio
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  17721
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2011

Palais des sports de Rouen / Dominique Perrault Architecture

Rouen, France

Olympic Tennis Centre / Dominique Perrault Architecture

Olympic Tennis Centre / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Stadiums, FacadeOlympic Tennis Centre / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Stadiums, Facade, FenceOlympic Tennis Centre / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Stadiums, ChairOlympic Tennis Centre / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Stadiums, Fence, FacadeOlympic Tennis Centre / Dominique Perrault Architecture - More Images+ 74

Madrid, Spain

Court of Justice of the European Communities / Dominique Perrault Architecture

Court of Justice of the European Communities / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Public Architecture, Facade, BeamCourt of Justice of the European Communities / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Public Architecture, FacadeCourt of Justice of the European Communities / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Public Architecture, FacadeCourt of Justice of the European Communities / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Public Architecture, Facade, DoorCourt of Justice of the European Communities / Dominique Perrault Architecture - More Images+ 28