Freedom of Use


Book Description

"Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal are known for an architecture that privileges inhabitants’ freedom and pleasure through generous, open designs. The Paris-based architects opened their 2015 lecture at Harvard University with a manifesto: study and create an inventory of the existing situation; densify without compressing individual space; promote user mobility, access, choice; and most importantly, never demolish. Freedom of Use reflects on these core values to present a fluid narrative of Lacaton and Vassal’s oeuvre, articulated through processes of accumulation, addition, and extension. The architects describe built and unbuilt work, from a house in Niger made of little more than branches; to the expansive Nantes School of Architecture; to a public square in Bordeaux where, after months of study, their design solution was: do nothing."--Sternberg Press website (viewed Sept. 29, 2015)




Lacaton & Vassal


Book Description




Lacaton & Vassal


Book Description




Grands Ensembles de Logements : Territoire D'exception


Book Description

En las décadas de 1960 y 1970 se construyeron en Francia y en toda Europa numerosos conjuntos de vivienda colectiva que, si bien lograron paliar la apremiante necesidad de viviendas de la posguerra, hoy en día presentan graves carencias. Frédéric Durot, Anne Lacaton y Jean-Philippe Vassal se enfrentan a esta problemática desde una actitud novedosa y proponen su radical transformación para adaptarlas a los modos de vida actuales. 'No derribar nunca, no restar ni reemplazar nunca, sino añadir, transformar y reutilizar siempre.' Esta es la premisa en la que se basa la propuesta de los autores. A partir de un análisis de los elementos que conforman la vivienda, en un recorrido que va de dentro afuera del edificio, los autores recuperan el placer de habitar desde una actitud precisa y delicada que tiene en cuenta todas las preexistencias. Los siete proyectos que aquí se presentan son el resultado de este planteamiento, en unos casos estudios y, en otros, propuestas ganadoras de concursos de arquitectura donde se desarrollan los objetivos y las ideas planteados en los primeros.




Lacaton & Vassal


Book Description

This monographic book designed by Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal, is published in conjunction with their exhibtion at the Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine. It gathers all the projects designed by their firm into thematic groups (beginnings, landscape, dreams, freedom, Inhabiting, transformation, enchanting and city) and weaves them into a story that challenges their proposals. Their approach, involving an in-depth reflection on the ethical dimension of architecture, is founded upon both the generosity of the dwelling and the pleasure of the dweller. In denying the obvious, they seek in its place what is essential and specific to each situation and context. Lacaton and Vassal propose architecture that allows us greater freedom.




Small Scale, Big Change


Book Description

Published to accompany the exhibition held at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, 28 Sept. 2010-3 Jan. 2011.




Lacaton & Vassal, 1993-2015


Book Description

This volume of El Croquis magazine is dedicated to the work of Paris-based architects Lacaton & Vassal. Covering more than two decades of work, it gives special consideration not only to their methodology and ideals as these have matured through the years, through critical analysis by Arnoldo Rivkin and Juan Hereros and an interview with the architects, but also to an extensive selection of exemplary projects. Among the 26 featured works are the Nantes School of Architecture, FRAC Nord-Pas de Calais, Guangzhou Museum, Le Grand Sud Polyvalent Theater in Lille, housing projects in Paris, Saint Nazaire, Mulhouse, and Bordeaux, plus several private residences




Transparent Plastics


Book Description

A fascinating guide to building with transparent plastics. Prominent international avant-garde architects such as Shigeru Ban and Herzog & de Meuron frequently use transparent plastic for their structures. Transparent plastic seems ephemeral and thus captures the spirit of the times.




Operative Optimism


Book Description

Presents a compilation of the European architecture. This book is divided into chapters such as: "synthetic logic", about concise and direct ways to provide solutions to the project; "direct logic", about an unbiased and uninhibited attitude; "productivelogic", about a new form of materializing the potentials of manufacturing; and more.