The 2024 National Grand Prix for Architecture has been designated. The jury chaired by the Ministry of Culture awarded the prestigious award to Atelier Architecture Perraudin, co-founded by Gilles and Jean-Manuel Perraudin in 2017. It met on December 3, 2024 to audition the seven preselected agencies.
The highest distinction
The highest national distinction in the field of architecture, created in 1975, aims to reward an agency based in France for all of its work. Two years ago, the Philippe Prost Architecture Agency – whose work is currently exhibited in Paris – won the precious sesame.
“Since the 2022 edition, the Grand Prix national de l'architecture has adapted to the evolution of architectural practice, ensuring the selection of architectural agencies rather than individuals and introducing more parity among the finalists“, indicates the ministry. The jury was interested in the richness of the professional background and the quality of the built work of the finalists, in the posture of the agency vis-à-vis the societal role of architecture and the architect, to his ability to disseminate or transmit, in France and internationally and to his ability to innovate and open up perspectives for new generations.
Course
The career of Gilles Perraudin particularly interested the jury. The architect born in 1949 studied engineering at the École de La Martinière in Lyon (1970), then architecture at the Lyon School of Architecture (1977). He joined forces between 1980 and 1998 with Françoise-Hélène Jourda, before continuing his activity alone from 1998 to 2017. That year, he founded the Atelier Architecture Perraudin with his son Jean-Manuel. At the same time, he taught in France and abroad from 1996 to 2014.
“Very sensitive to vernacular architecture and the man-climate-habitat relationship, Gilles Perraudin won the first European competition for passive solar energy in 1980, thanks to a house which already contains all the major principles applied in his future achievements.“, recalls the ministry. “This is particularly the case of the 'microclimatic envelope' which will be completed in the project of the Akadémie Mont Cenis in Herne in Germany and the Collège de Vauvert (not yet built).”
The jury praised the agency's practice, based on geographical and climatic principles. The firm automatically integrates local resources and their implementation when designing its projects. This is what pleased the jury, who underlined that Gilles Perraudin “restores the stone’s letters of nobility to build today“.
Soon an exhibition
A diploma created by the artist Daniel Buren will be presented by the Minister of Culture Rachida Dati to the team of the Atelier Architecture Perraudin. A monographic exhibition dedicated to the work of the agency will also be held at the Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine, in Paris. This event will be accompanied by a book. In addition, the two founders of the firm will give lectures to architecture students.
“The Minister of Culture would like to salute the work of the six other preselected agencies: BQ+A – Architect and associates, Bruther, Encore Heureux, Jean and Aline Harari architects, Muoto, Corinne Vezzoni and associates as well as the members of the jury“, concludes the administration.
