claude parent monograph celebrates one of the most radical architects of the 20th century

first released in june 2019, rizzoli new york has published ‘claude parent: visionary architect’ – a monograph celebrating the buildings and theoretical work of the french architect. born in neuilly-sur-seine in 1923, parent unquestionably changed the face of architecture with his non-conformist style. taking a departure from the modernism of the early-20th century, he would become known as the ‘father of oblique architecture’ with his dynamic architectural expression.

the influence of the radical french architect claude parent (1923-2016) extends far beyond the legacy he left us through iconic buildings

parent’s buildings and theoretical work have greatly influenced many of today’s leading architects, such as nouvel, gehry, hadid, or libeskind. this first english monograph includes over 200 drawings and photographs beautifully reproduced, with texts by frank gehry, jean nouvel, odile decq, wolf d. prix, donatien grau, pascale blin, frédéric migayrou, azzedine alaïa, chloé parent, and claude parent himself. 

claude parent posing next to a drawing in his studio – 1980s

at the heart of parent’s vision was movement that is nowhere more evident than in his drawings, many of which are published in this book for the first time

parent’s work manifests the ‘oblique function’ theory he developed with paul virilio in 1963

claude parent drawing at his desk – 2000s

parent’s research dictates buildings should feature slopes, be wall-free where possible and have a predominance of space over surface to encourage the movement of people

the monograph also features a chapter about iconic built projects, and explanatory sketches by the architect

parent’s buildings and theoretical work have greatly influenced many of today’s leading architects, such as nouvel, gehry, hadid, or libeskind

featuring contributions from some of today’s most renowned architects, the publication is a must-have for urban planners, art lovers, students of architecture and architects alike

claude parent: visionary architect celebrates one of the most radical and gifted architects of the twentieth century who unquestionably changed the history of architecture

book info:

book title: claude parent: visionary architect

editors and designers: chloé & laszlo parent

publisher: rizzoli new york

publication year: 2019

format: hardcover

trim size: 10 x 12-1/2

pages: 224

US price: $65.00

language: english

ISBN: 978-0-8478-6215-3

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom