Pritzker Prize winner Jean Nouvel talks 'clone' architecture with the AJ
- Published: 02 April 2008 17:38
- Author: Max Thompson
- More by this Author
- Last Updated: 03 April 2008 12:21
- Reader Responses
Max Thompson caught up with Pritzker Prize winner Jean Nouvel to discuss the French architect's fight against generic designs, and dining with Frank Gehry.
Why did the Pritzker jury pick you?
I won because I have a special profile, I hope. And because, in this world where generic buildings are the obsession, my attitude is to always research 'specificity'. I create different buildings with different feelings of colour and techniques.
And I always have the same attitude – to research the best building in the right place at
this moment. For me, I have no preferable idea of what I will build – I work with the analysis of a lot of parameters – words, ideas and concept. Not the automatic repetition of habits.
Do you have a favourite building of your own?
No. I have no favourite. For me architects and cities are like people; they have different characters, some are fat, some are thin, some are gentle and some are very angry a lot of time. For me, all buildings are alive.
I like the differences; how do you prefer a social-housing building to a museum or a theatre?
What do you think your legacy will be?
A testimonial of an attitude – an epoch. I am very different from a lot of architects who use always the same typologies, the same materials and techniques. This is not a criticism, but I am the opposite.
When you travel round the world you meet all the clones. All these buildings always the same, they have no roots. I fight against generic designs for specific architecture – that will be my legacy.
How are your two London schemes [Walbrook Square, in partnership with Foster + Partners; and Land Securities' One New Change] proceeding?
One New Change is under construction and we are doing the foundations. At Walbrook Square we are completing the final details.
When you visit the UK what is your overriding impression of its architecture?
I knew London before, but I was really surprised in comparison with France at the energy of the city now. In Paris it is difficult to build, but here in London you have a confidence in the modernity and the evolution of the city.
It is important if the city wants to stay alive to be in a perpetual evolution. I hope it will change in Paris, but since a long time now it is not a lot of energy. The energy in London is strong.
If you could invite any architects, past or present, for dinner, who would you invite?
(Laughs) I have no problem with that! I will have dinner in the next few days with Frank Gehry and I also have dinner with Norman Foster sometimes. Richard Rogers, Renzo Piano, Toyo Ito too. I have a lot of friends!
You know the architects who are players are a little bit like tennis players – they are very often in the same competitions.
With your work with Norman Foster on Welbrook Square, who is the driving force?
It was a very interesting experience. I worked with both Norman and Spencer de Grey. At the beginning it was more difficult, because the teams were a little bit threatened by the other one. After a few months it was really perfect and just a great adventure.
Would you work with them again?
Yes, we go on to work on common situations like in Sydney [an office scheme for developer Frasers, see here]. We aren't doing the same buildings but we are on the same site, we make a decision together – we are always working together!
