Archinect - News

Sou Fujimoto's eye-catching apartment tower, L'Arbre Blanc, is a cantilevered spectacle

2019-06-21T20:51:00-04:00

When the project was first announced in 2014, many waited in anticipation as renderings of L'Arbre Blanc tower surfaced. The 17-story tower is said to be modeled after the shape of a tree with balconies 'branching out' from the cylindrical shaped building. Located in Montpellier, France, Sou Fujimoto was joined by Nicolas Laisné, Dimitri Roussel, and OXO Architectes to complete the project.

L'Arbre Blanc by Sou Fujimoto in collaboration with Nicolas Laisné, Dimitri Roussel and OXO Architectes. Image © Cyrille Weiner

With the 113 apartment tower fully constructed, it has stayed true to its renderings. According to the project's press release, Fujimoto and his team aimed at recreating the idea of a tower while paying attention to the local lifestyles of the people of Montpellier. The eye-catching details of the cantilevered balconies help create a changing perspective depending on the viewer's angle, sun positioning, and viewpoint. The cantilevered balconies not only aide in the visu...

Hélène Binet photographs Zaha Hadid's Pierres Vives

2019-04-04T15:20:00-04:00

Pierres Vives, one of the last projects overseen by Zaha Hadid, reflects an innovative approach to spatial design and urban planning for the town of Montpellier, France. The 28,500-square-meter stone and concrete public building was conceived as a "tree of knowledge" by the architect as early as 2002. Pierres Vives combines three government functions—archives, a library, and a sports center—to suit the needs of the growing town.

Interior of Pierres Vives. Photo by Hélène Binet

The landmark project was photographed by famed architectural photographer Hélène Binet shortly after its completion and compiled in an eponymous book, Pierres Vives, published by Rizzoli and Skira.

Cover of Pierres Vives, by Rizzoli and Skira

According to its publishers, the book "is the definitive source of images for the built structure and the construction process, and explores the architect’s design choices, allowing a deep understanding of the work and thought behind the structure."

You can get your copy ...

BIG to design Museum of the Human Body in Montpellier, France

2013-11-20T13:53:00-05:00

BIG is having a good week, now with another competition win to design the Museum of the Human Body in Montpellier, France. The jury — led by City Mayor Ms Hélène Mandroux — selected BIG out of five international shortlisted teams. BIG collaborated on the design with A+Architecture + Egis + Base + L'Echo + Celsius Environnement + CCVH.

All images courtesy of BIG (top four images by BIG + MIR).

Head over to Bustler to read more.