Jean-Philippe Vassal

Jean-Philippe Vassal
Vassal in 2017
Born	(1954-02-22) 22 February 1954 (age 70) Casablanca, French Morocco
Alma mater	ENSAPBx
Occupation	Architect
Awards	Pritzker Prize (2021)
Practice	Lacaton & Vassal
Buildings	Grand Parc Bordeaux[1]

Jean-Philippe Vassal (French pronunciation: [ʒɑ̃filip vasal]; born 22 February 1954) is a French[2] architect and academic. He runs the architectural practice Lacaton & Vassal, with Anne Lacaton. The pair were jointly awarded the 2021 Pritzker Architecture Prize.[3]

Early life and education

Vassal was born 1954 in Casablanca during the French Protectorate of Morocco.[4] He graduated from the École nationale supérieure d'architecture et de paysage de Bordeaux in 1980.[5] After graduating, he spent five years in Niger as an architect and town planner.[4]

Architectural practice

Vassal founded the practice Lacaton & Vassal with Anne Lacaton in Bordeaux in 1987,[4] which moved to Paris in 2000.[6] The work of Lacaton & Vassal focuses on reduced-cost construction.[4] Lacaton & Vassel carried out many international projects in the area of housing. They accomplish the high-profile renovation of the Palais de Tokyo in Paris.[7]

In 2019 the Grand Parc Bordeaux (with Frédéric Druot and Christophe Hutin) was selected winner of the European Union's 2019 Mies van der Rohe Award, for the best contemporary architecture in Europe.[8]

The School of Architecture, Nantes

The French architects, who are based in the Paris suburb of Montreuil, believe that every structure can be repurposed, reinvented, reinvigorated.[3]

Academic career

Vassal has been visiting professor at institutes such as the Architecture School of Versailles (2002–2006), the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPF Lausanne; 2010–2011), the Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin; 2007–2010) and Universität der Künste Berlin (UDK Berlin; 2012–2022).[9][4]

Awards and honours: Lacaton & Vassal

• 1991: Lauréats des Albums de la Jeune Architecture, France[10]
• 1999: Grand Prix National d'Architecture Jeune Talent, France[10]
• 2006: Schelling Architecture Award, Germany[11]
• 2006: Sustainability and innovation in housing, Erich Schelling Foundation[10]
• 2008: Grand Prix National d'Architecture[10]
• 2009: French International Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects[11]
• 2011: Paris Daylight & Building Components Award[11]
• 2011: Prix de l'Équerre d'Argent (with Frédéric Druot [fr])[10]
• 2014: Rolf Schock Prize, Fine arts category[11]
• 2016: Simon Architecture Prize/ Fondation Mies Van der Rohe – The Living Places (with Frederic Druot)[10]
• 2016: Life Time Achievement – Trienal de Arquitectura de Lisboa[11]
• 2016: Gold medal of the Académie d'architecture[11]
• 2016: Heinrich Tessenow Medal, Germany[11]
• 2019: Mies van der Rohe Prize[11]
• 2020: Großer BDA Preis (BDA Grand Prize) for their life's work[11]
• 2021: Pritzker Prize[11]
• 2023: Soane Medal[12]

See also

• Lacaton & Vassal

References

1. "Transformation of 530 dwellings / Lacaton & Vassal + Frédéric Druot + Christophe Hutin architecture". ArchDaily. 18 April 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
2. "Pritzker Prize: French duo wins top architecture honour – Arts and Culture News". Al Jazeera. 16 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
3. Pogrepin, Robin (16 March 2021). "Affordable Housing Earns French Couple the Pritzker Prize". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
4. "Jean-Philippe Vassal". Collectors Agenda. Retrieved 17 March 2021.^[permanent dead link‍]
5. "Lacaton & Vassal". Lacaton & Vassal, urbanNext site. 14 July 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2021.^[permanent dead link‍]
6. Noveck, Jocelyn (16 March 2021). "Pritzker Architecture Prize awarded to Paris-based duo". The Washington Times. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
7. "Jean-Philippe Vassal". Oase Issues. 13 November 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
8. Niall Patrick Walsh (11 May 2019). "Grand Parc Bordeaux Wins 2019 EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award". ArchDaily. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
9. "Prof. Jean-Philippe Vassal – Universität der Künste Berlin". Universität der Künste Berlin. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
10. "Lacaton and Vassal CV" (PDF). www.lacatonvassal.com. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
11. Victor Delaqua (16 March 2021). "Who Are Lacaton & Vassal? 15 Things to Know About the 2021 Pritzker Architecture Laureates". ArchDaily. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
12. "Architects Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal on the joy of reusing buildings rather than knocking them down". The Guardian. 10 December 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2024.

External links

• "Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal – The Pritzker Architecture Prize". www.pritzkerprize.com. Retrieved 17 March 2021. – video interviews, philosophy, and work retrospective.