Jean Nouvel, described by the Pritzker Prize Jury as a man who pushes the field’s boundaries by challenging the preconceived norms, is a man nothing short of courageous. Believing in situational architecture, Jean Nouvel designs each project without any preconceived notions. Each project is unique in its own right, born out of the sui generis nature of its site, context, and function. His diverse approach to architecture won him the Wolf Prize in 2005 and the Pritzker award in 2008.
When a large percentage of the world revered Le Corbusier and his words, Jean Nouvel was a pupil under the anti-Le Corbusier, Ar. Claude Parent. Under Claude Parent’s mentorship, he pursued new ideas and demanded that the French cities no longer follow the traditional design model. Nouvel was also part of the intellectual rebellion “May 68,” With his mentor, he created the “March 1976 movement”. His play of light and shadow adds a unique element of mystery as he manipulates the seen and the unseen, making an air of seduction in his designs. His unique way of thinking resulted in many heterogeneous ideas, manifested into some of the most iconic buildings one can witness.
