Exhibition highlights sustainable architecture

The Cité de l'architecture in Paris is hosting an exhibition titled L'architecture ? C'est fait pour rendre les gens heureux ! (Architecture? It's meant to make people happy!) that showcases the humanist and sustainable approach of Atelier Architecture Perraudin, the 2024 winner of the Grand Prix national de l'architecture. The exhibition will remain open until January 3, 2027.

Atelier Architecture Perraudin's turn

Following the 2022 exhibition by Pierre-Louis Faloci and the 2024 showcase by Atelier Philippe Prost, Atelier Architecture Perraudin has been granted a carte blanche—meaning full creative freedom—to design the current exhibition at the Cité. The atelier was founded in 2017 by Gilles Perraudin and Jean-Manuel Perraudin.

Sustainable and committed approach

The atelier has been committed to sustainable architecture for over half a century, focusing on using local resources to serve the common good. It views architecture not just as a construction act, but as a way of engaging with the world, emphasizing slowness, presence, and the value of the physical.

Focus on materials and environment

The agency prioritizes understanding natural materials like earth, stone, and wood rather than dominating them. This approach leads to architecture that is measured, durable, and authentic, aiming to be both sober and hospitable. The exhibition will feature eight projects from France, Romania, and Senegal, shown through photographs, sketches, and graphic documents.

Complementary events and publication

The exhibition will be accompanied by the publication of a book and the inaugural lecture at the École de Chaillot. These events aim to explore the intersection of rigor and humanity in the atelier’s approach. The Grand Prix national de l'architecture honors an architect or team for their entire body of work, awarded every two years by the French Ministry of Culture.

Exhibition details and collaborators

The exhibition is curated by Gilles Perraudin, Jean-Manuel Perraudin, and Élodie Nourrigat, with scenography by Studio Olivier Vadrot and graphic design by WIP Office. It is located at the Cité de l'architecture et du Patrimoine, 1, Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75116 Paris.