French Architects

If you're looking for a good architect in France, you might like to check out the work of Frederic Druot and Francois Mansart. Both of these architects studied the scale and context of buildings. Their work is vast and covers a variety of subjects, including cultural buildings, offices, and housing. Some of their work even involves encasing adjoining buildings in metal lattice. Read on to discover more about these talented architects.

Francois Mansart

The career of French architect Francois Mansart traces its roots back to 1623. He designed the chapel of Rue Saint-Honore in Paris. Then in 1639 he began work on the Chateau de Balleroy. It was designed for Jean de Choisy, the chancellor to Gaston, duc d'Orleans, the brother of Louis XIII. The chateau consists of three blocks: the massive main building and two smaller pavilions.

Henri Labrouste

Henri Labrouste was born in 1811 in Saint-Bernard, France. He attended the École des Beaux-Arts school of architecture in Paris. Afterward, he opened his own architectural training workshop in Rome, where he became famous for his iron-frame construction techniques. The architect was 38 years old when he was born. His zodiac sign was Taurus.

Auguste Perret

In the 1920s, Auguste Perret designed a number of important buildings, including the Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris, which became a landmark of the modernist movement and is considered one of the finest examples of post-modern architecture. After the war, Perret was appointed chief architect of the reconstruction of Le Havre, France. Other notable Perret structures include the Hotel de Ville in Paris and the Church of St. Joseph in Marseille. Some of his buildings were completed long before his death in 1953. Perret's ideals were at odds with those of younger architects, who preferred acoustics and spatial effects.

Christian de Portzamparc

One of the most popular buildings by French architect Christian de Portzamparc is the Paris Opera Ballet School in Nanterre, France. The building was designed to enhance the artistic life of the city. In addition to the school, Portzamparc designed a residence hall for students. Other notable projects include the Cite de la musique, which was a reimagining of an industrial district in Paris. It includes concert halls, practice spaces, a museum, library, and music school. Many of his buildings are catalysts for the dynamics of the cityscape, including schools, universities, museums, and cultural institutions.

Jean Prouve

During World War II, Prouve fought for the Resistance by designing metal pre-fab housing for the homeless. After the war, Prouve collaborated with other artists, including Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret, and created colorful segmented bookcases for the Cite Internationale Universitaire foundation in Paris. In the 1950s, he designed several experimental houses and a school, and his designs shaped the style of prefabricated buildings.

Raymond Moulon

Henri Sauvage was a French architect born in 1879 and died in Paris in the early 20th century. He was a prominent member of the Salon d'automne, an association of leading artists of his day. Henri Sauvage was also known for his work in public housing and was instrumental in the construction of the iconic Art Deco building La Samaritaine in Paris. His designs are considered among the most important examples of art deco architecture in France.