Valode & Pistre Architectes is a much-awarded

international firm, founded in 1980 by the current

managing partners and long-standing friends, Denis

Valode and Jean Pistre. For these talented

practitioners, an architectural project is a social act

for both client and user, an act based upon continual

research and original ideas, an act of creation in

response to a specific programme and site.

One of the firm's strengths is its ability to transfer

ideas and innovations from one field to another,

examining essential concepts applicable to other

projects. Its preoccupations concern quality of

workspaces, relationships between new and old

(for rehabilitation projects), and the use of the latest

technologies (structures, building materials and

environmental controls). Valode & Pistre's frequent

participation in numerous national and

international competitions has led to innumerable

awards and critical acclaim for its work.

This book examines a number of projects in the

corporate, industrial, healthcare, retail, leisure,

educational, and cultural categories and includes

the Museum of Contemporary Art at Bordeaux, the

L'Oréal Factory at Aulnay sous Bois near Paris, the

Renault Technocentre, the Shell and Air France

Headquarters, the Leonardo da Vinci University at

La Défense, the Cours Saint-Emilion at Bercy in Paris

and the more recent T1 Tower at La Défense in

Paris. Each featured design is presented with

outstanding photography, insightful text and plans,

together presenting an in-depth view of the project.

A stimulating introductory interview with Messrs

Valode and Pistre provides an illuminating look

inside into the workings of a high profile,

international architectural firm.