In her work as architect and urbanist, French-Brazilian Elizabeth de Portzamparc designs buildings to serve as architectural symbols that are supporting what her practice sees as new values and as powerful urban landmarks that skilfully structure and inhabit the places where they are built. Applying her thinking and experience on the identity of cities and metropolises, de Portzamparc designs facilities that strengthen the qualities of the context into which they are inserted. With a sober, light, and streamlined architecture, based on the lightening of masses and on the economy of forms and materials, privileging the use of spaces with double exposure and a strong relation with nature, they create an atmosphere, conveying easily identifiable collective values and open dialog with the urban surroundings. Through her dual sociological and architectural approach, de Portzamparc combines the requirements of the social, urban, and ecological scope with construction of optimal forms, a coherent approach that is legible on every scale of her work. Her projects are characterised by their innovative flexibility, architectural layouts designed to foster sociability on the scales of both the building and the city, giving much importance to the total spatial interconnections. This monograph, a collector's volume within IMAGES' renowned Leading Architects series, showcases the extraordinary work of this brilliant Paris-based architect. Elizabeth de Portzamparc's award-winning designs are beautifully presented throughout, with lavish full-colour photography and intricate, detailed drawings that help to illuminate her process and international achievements across a wide range, including architecture, interiors, and urban planning projects, as well as design objects, museography and scenographic works.
