10 Jean Nouvel Buildings We Love
French Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel is credited by the New York Times in a profile piece as "exceptionally good at allowing a building to take on a personality of its own."
Sometimes controversially received, Nouvel's intentions with his buildings—in his own words—is to access "...the poétique of the situation. I am a hedonist, and I want to give pleasure to other people." Here is a sample of some of the 71-year-old architect's most influential designs throughout his illustrious career.
Torre Agbar (2004)
Barcelona, Spain
Inspired by the shape of a geyser rising into the air, as well as Montserrat, a mountain range near Barcelona, Torre Agbar is the headquarters of Aguas de Barcelona (Agbar), Spain's municipal water company.
Photo by Susana Calvera
Arab World Institute (1987)
Paris, France
Opened in 1987, Nouvel’s Institut du Monde Arabe is made up of light-sensitive apertures that are inspired by traditional oriel windows—or enclosed balconies—which are used in Islamic architecture.
Photo by Steve Silverman
100 Eleventh Avenue (2010)
New York, New York
Jean Nouvel called this 23-story residential tower a "vision machine." Each windowpane rests inside a series of "mega-panels" that are tilted at different angles, offering slightly different degrees of transparency.
Photo by Stefanitar
Opéra Nouvel (1993)
Lyon, France
Nouvel won a competition that let to him renovating the original opera house. Melding both the past and present, his project increased interior space, added an underground practice hall, and doubled the building's height with a steel-and-glass vault.
Photo by Yann Kersalé
Copenhagen Concert Hall (2009)
Copenhagen, Denmark
Known for its amazing acoustics, this venue was named one of the 10 greatest concert halls of the new millennium by Gramophone magazine. Nouvel worked with Japanese acoustic specialist Yasuhisa Toyota to achieve this.
Photo by Ken Lee
Building C1
Bolougne Billancourt, France
Situated on the Seine river, Building C1 houses shops and offices with rooftop terraces and gardens. Planted esplanades and high terraces give the impression of a green island, while a retractable panel at the top of the structure extends to cover the rooftop garden.
Photo Courtesy of Designboom
Central Park Sydney
Sydney, Australia
Situated on the site of a once derelict brewery, this residential tower is the centerpiece of a masterplan to revitalize downtown Sydney. The cantilevered reflector lends light to shaded areas below.
Photo Courtesy of Central Park Sydney
Philharmonie de Paris (2015)
Paris, France
The Philharmonie de Paris, located in the Parc de La Villette, arrived amid much controversy, given that it was two-years late and three-times over budget. It consists of bird-shaped tiles that are interlocked and spread across the building's facade.
Photo by Danica O Kus
Cyprus Tower (2015)
Nicosia, Cyprus
As with many of Nouvel's designs, Cyprus Tower, a high-rise building located in the center of Nicosia, is ready-made with sprouts of greenery. Landscaping covers 80 percent of the building's southern facade.
Photo by Yiorgis Yerolymbos, Courtesy of Nice Day Developments
Rosewood Tower
São Paulo, Brazil
Planned to open in 2020, this luxury hotel will be adjoined to a former maternity hospital. The tower will be covered with greenery and filled with interiors designed by Philippe Starck.
Photo by Grupo Allard
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