The decisive transformation of Paris in the mid-nineteenth century took place under Napoleon III. But his uncle Napoleon, who held power over France and a broad swath of Europe several decades earlier, had his own notable role in the evolution of the city. In an exhibition now in its final days, the Musėe Carnavalet retraces the impact of Napoleon on the city of Paris.
Paris has a prestigious history, but it is also a living city. A new project in the 15th arrondissement gives a sense of how contemporary developments can create a dialogue with the multiple facets of the existing city in order to densify and enrich it.
Eugène Viollet-le-Duc was a passionate, iconoclastic man who became one of the most influential architects of the nineteenth century. Generations have read his writings, followed his teachings and admired his buildings. Paris’s Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine has recently opened a new show that retraces the work of this inimitable and unparalleled figure.
Continue reading Eugène Viollet-le-Duc: Visions of an Architect
Marseille’s year as European capital of culture has come and gone. But in the north of the city, an extraordinary cultural and urban experiment begun more than twenty years ago continues.
Friche Belle de Mai is far from the Vieux Port, the historic Panier district that draws tourists from around the world, and the spanking new cultural facilities designed by famous architects. But if you are visiting Marseille and are interested in seeing a living place that reflects the true pulse of the city, this should be your first priority.
As Paris enters the final days of a hard-fought Mayoral race, one thing is clear. The terms of political debate permanently shifted during the administration of outgoing Mayor Bertrand Delanoë, and a remarkable consensus has emerged over environmental concerns.
Read the full article on pps.org
On January 29th, 2014, a conference was held in Paris to present and discuss the new wave of work commissioned by AIGP, the organization created to ensure the ongoing contribution of the interdisciplinary experts initially solicited through the Grand Paris consultation (Le Grand Paris – Part 1: The Launch)
Eight months after the opening of the new Place de la République, I sat down with Pierre-Alain Trévelo, one of the two partners of TVK, the up-and-coming Paris-based firm responsible for the square’s design, for an inside take on the insights and learnings from this emblematic project.
Continue reading Place de la République – An interview with TVK
Auguste Perret was a founding father of modern architecture in Europe. An exhibition at the Palais d’Iéna, one of Perret’s own buildings, presents eight of his masterpieces in a highly didactic and well-presented exhibition.
This week I have written a guest post for the Project for Public Spaces’ blog. PPS sees the proactive approach Paris is taking with its public spaces as “fundamental to the future of cities.” Read the piece on the the PPS web site.
Continue reading Taking the Next Step: Paris Leads With Innovation in the Streets
With this year’s Heritage Days fast upon us, here is a post on one of the buildings I visited during last year’s event: the Franciscan chapel in Arcueil designed by Auguste Perret.
Hidden away and, in all appearance, a humble structure, this is a building that reveals itself on closer examination to be a marvel of simplicity and elegant logic, a true architectural lesson.
Continue reading Auguste Perret’s Franciscan Chapel in Arcueil
