Jean Nouvel has won the Pritzker Prize, the world's most prestigious architecture award. And for a good reason, because his work is simply amazing. We love Nouvel's work for many reasons, from his irregular shapes and spaces, to the use of plants and color LEDs to create almost surreal, night-city creatures that seem taken from a science fiction movie. Here's a 68-picture gallery with his most stunning pieces, from the vibrant Torre Agbar in Barcelona to the alien spaceship of the new Orchestra Hall for the Philharmonie de Paris. Update: due to an error, the 68-pic gallery was incomplete. I've fixed it and the remaining pictures will appear shortly, after the jump.
[Pritzker Prize and Jean Nouvel]









Comments
A Masterpiece!
IS it even possible to try and say that the giant glowing building isn't a dildo?
That bottom-middle picture in the collage looks... interesting.
his works are indeed spectacular....
Jean Nouvel is an amazing and visionary architect, and he rightfully deserves the Pritzker Prize. His work reminds me of Paolo Soleri, and his arcology designs. The dudes buildings are just surreal to look at, and often even more dream-like inside.
He also would make a bitch'in French Bond super villain with that shaved head and crazy eyebrows.
Nouvel's commissions declined during the period in which he insisted that candle wax was the building material of the future.
I really find myself missing traditional architecture, wherein an orchestra hall looks like an orchestra hall, instead of a spaceship.
Alas, probably just me.
The Vigo Harbor designs are my fav by far. His other stuff isn't too shabby, although my eyes would melt and my head would explode if i ever walked into some of those places.
So busy!
Looking at the beauty and brilliance of his designs, I'm glad I never wanted to be an architect. Because the feeling I would have after looking at Nouvel's work is I'm sure similar to the intimidation an aspiring composer might feel after listening to Beethoven or Mozart for the first time.
To be bold and subtle all at the same time in architecture is an amazing challenge he seems to pull off with ease.
Some of those designs I might be a little concerned
about falling on me though.
Irregular shapes indeed, to the extent that most of his buildings appear to be some variation on "Penis" or "Balls."
(I kid, I kid - at least for interiors, the man's a genius, a genius!)
Maybe I need to see a shrink. But I'm looking at that goldish toned building and all I see is a pair of hips with people walking into and out of a giant vagina.
@BaileyJ: lol, thats what I saw...
All told, the guy's work is truly stunning, in the most literal sense of the word. I just had to stop and stare for about 15 seconds or so, just taking it all in. Absolutely amazing work.
@BaileyJ: Looks like a gold tooth to me, but i can see where you're coming from. Symbolism perhaps?
@BaileyJ: Thats what I saw too, and assumed I was just some sick, depraved person. Glad to know I am not the only one.
Nouvel to the world leaders: It will cost you ONE MILLION DOLLARS (...diabolical laugh).
@BaileyJ: I think if you DON'T see a vagina in that picture, you're just not looking hard enough.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to therapy.
@BaileyJ: @Curves: caught you looking! {WHACK}
I didn't know Kojak was into architecture.
@Curves: whew! I'm not the only sick, depraved person here. I saw a giant vagina when I first looked at that building as well.
God I feel like such a narcissist now. Ignoring the obvious yonic referents but highlighting the phallic ones.
My wife would not be surprised.
@FrancesTheMute: As soon as I saw it, I moaned about how the model had a really boney ass and how the building needed some Curves.
(Having a one track mind means nothing else pollutes the thought processes.)
Huge vaginas rock!
Ah, I see you used a picture of the Goatse Financial Center in the bottom middle.
I knew the moment I started reading this post that nobody could have written it but you, Jesus. You provide most of the truly erudite content around here, after all. Thanks for the interesting imagery!
@Canthros
no, i agree with you. i love stone, and walking around the brownstones in New York is great. im not a fan of metal and glass for buildings.
A Dr. Evil comment was a must.
I'm glad someone beat me to it. Sounded funnier in my head.
Those are some magnificent " Lairs "
@92BuickLeSabre:
I dont want to be in the position of disagreeing with a "starred" commenter.
however - the massive gold building looks kind of like a vagiina to me (at least the vertical entrance part)
(of course it could be that I havent gotten any lately and everything looks like a vagina, but thats for another post)
When you see it...
I love the living facades, but everything else strikes me as ADD or slightly schizo.
I'm not in construction but I can only imagine that workers fucking HATE this guy. What's with the potted trees suspended in the trusses? That is going to kill whatever gardener that has to water it or whatever maintenance personnel that has to fix the automated watering system.
I could never, ever, ever stay inside one of these things for more than 15 minutes. Just imagine spending a night in the aptly titled room.jpg. The one with the criss-crossed stainless steel trussed ceilings. Eee gads.
Still love the mossy grassy green facades. That is amazing and I desire it greatly.
Wonderful.
@mtopper: No, you are absolutely correct. See my self-inflicted public humiliation that followed.
Howard. Freaking. Roark.
Among the images illustrating the most stunning Nouvel's projects, several screenshots from a Bartproject's video. Have a look at the original video, illustrating the project for the educational, cultural and entertainment centre in Kuwait City, on bartproject.com
TELLY SEVALES...is that you
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