Valode Pistre Architects

The firm of Denis Valode and Jean Pistre, which has been practicing for 25 years, entered upon a new phase of its career in 1992, when the architects — in cooperation with the landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson — received the Equerre d’argent prize of the journal Le Moniteur for the L’Oréal corporate headquarters outside Paris. Their predominantly large-scale projects are distinguished by their high degree of diversity. For some years, Valode & Pistre have not only been practicing in France, their native country, but also maintain offices in Germany, Italy, Great Britain, Russia, Mexico, China, and elsewhere. This book contains detailed presentations of 18 projects by Valode & Pistre, with documentation focusing on the specific working and design methods of the architects. Projects presented include the Renault Technocentre in Guyancourt, France; the Las Mercedes business park in Madrid, Spain; a group of office and hotel towers in Beijing, China; and the Hyatt Hotel in Ekaterinburg, Russia. Die Karriere des seit 25 Jahren praktizierenden Büros von Denis Valode und Jean Pistre trat 1992 in eine neue Phase, als die Architekten – in Kooperation mit der Landschaftsarchitektin Kathryn Gustafson – für den Firmensitz von l Oréal bei Paris den Equerre d argent-Preis erhielten, den bedeutendsten Architekturpreis Frankreichs. Ihre zumeist großmaßstäblichen Projekte zeichnen sich durch eine weite Vielfalt aus. Seit einigen Jahren praktizieren Valode & Pistre nicht nur in ihrem Mutterland Frankreich, sondern unterhalten Büros in Spanien und Polen und sind mit ihren Projekten u.a. auch in Deutschland, Italien, Großbritannien, Rußland, Mexiko und China vertreten. Das Buch stellt etwa 18 Projekte von Valode & Pistre ausführlich dar, wobei die spezifische Arbeitsweise und die Entwurfsmethoden im Mittelpunkt der Dokumentation stehen. Zu den vorgestellten Projekten gehören u.a das Renault-Technozentrum in Guyancourt, Frankreich, der Büropark Cristalia in Madrid, Spanien, ein Büro- und Hotelturm in Peking, China und ein Handelszentrum in Sankt Petersburg, Rußland.

The work of this European architectural design firm is an important addition to The Images Publishing Group's Master Architects series. For the firm's founders and principals, Denis Valode and Jean Pistre, each project they embark on is a social act for

- Covers more than 70 high-profile projects across commercial, retail, institutional, and mixed-use programs, including the Mus e d Art Contemporain de Bordeaux; the headquarters for Shell, Air France and Johnson & Johnson; Leonardo de Vinci University Center; L'Or al Laboratories; Shenzhen Hospital; and many others - Includes an introduction written by renowned architectural writer Philip Jodidio - Includes full-color photography, detailed diagrams, plans and sketches Denis Valode and Jean Pistre seem atypical in the world of contemporary architecture. Neither flamboyant nor given to controversy, they are, on the contrary, soft-spoken and kind. Their bright, cheerful offices in the heart of Paris reflect this nature. It seems quite natural that artists who work with light, such as Yann Kersal and the late Fran ois Morellet have been pleased to create instalations specifically for these offices because, from their first completed work, the renovation of the Mus e d'Art Contemporain de Bordeaux in 1990, the pair have been actively interested in the connections between art and architecture. The architects' senses of modesty and efficiency have proven to be far more durable and better adapted to the demands of contemporary architecture than the many flamboyant styles that have come and gone since they started working together. Rather than an isolated object, a building by Valode & Pistre is conceived as being part of a tissue of relationships and situations. Valode & Pistre have actively sought out links between their projects and science, ethnology, art, sociology, or history. They do not seek to proclaim a brave new world for architecture as much as they work patiently in a way that seems natural to them. In their modesty, efficiency, and affirmed modernity in the best sense of the word, Denis Valode and Jean Pistre together with their team have staked out a considerable place in contemporary architecture, not only in France, but on the international scene as well. This lavishly photographed and beautifully presented monograph celebrates the practice's 40th anniversary. It highlights how the architects' words are in perfect harmony with their ideas - they avoid excessive rhetoric but when they talk about buildings they do so with passion and with clear ideas and methods, often involving their esthetic sense developed through the world of art. - Adapted from the Introduction

The author here presents an architectural history of Paris, stretching from the 3rd century BC up until the end of the 20th century.

Presents 80 projects, designed or imagined by 40 Parisian architectural firms.

Established in Paris in 1973, Architecture Studio today integrates the work of associate architects, architects, city planners, engineers and interior designers from many countries. A highlight of their work is shown here.

Doctor Haydock, the resident GP of St. Mary Mead, hopes to cheer up Miss Marple as she recovers from the flu with a little story. The tale revolves around the return of the prodigal son of Major Laxton, the devilishly handsome Harry Laxton. Harry, after leading a life of childish indiscretions and falling head over heels for the village tobacconist’s daughter, has made good and returned to lay claim to his tumbling childhood home and introduce the village to his beautiful new wife. But, the villagers are prone to gossip about young Harry’s past, and one person in particular cannot forgive him for tearing down the old house. Will Miss Marple’s acumen be up to the task of solving the story?

Essay by Peter Reed.