explore life works of legendary architect jean nouvel in new book

jean nouvel designs his own monograph

Among the most renowned architects of France, Jean Nouvel boasts a career spanning nearly a half decade. Dubbed a ‘giver of forms,’ his work transcends any era’s dominant style and succeeds in remaining ‘genuine’ even during an exploratory time of computer-generated design. This quality can be demonstrated through his combination of powerful gesture and ceaseless functionality, favoring the authentic over the outrageous. His work spans from New York to Abu Dhabi, rendering him an international ‘starchitect’ while now, at the age of 76, he has solidified his ideas of an harmonious relationship between the architecture of the past and the present.

image of Jean Nouvel by Jean Nouvel. 1981–2022 | image courtesy TASCHEN

nearly 800 pages of work within a colossal new book

Jean Novel’s far-reaching and long-spanning body of work has now been collected into an impressive and comprehensive overview book by TASCHEN. Entitled Jean Nouvel by Jean Nouvel. 1981–2022, the book takes shape as an XXL spotlight of a lifetime’s worth of work — the massive volume measuring in at 11.4 inches by 14.5 inches. Its near-800 pages showcase the architect’s milestone projects which have helped to shape his long career, beginning with his very first project. These are highlighted alongside twenty-five of his most recent works that now shape cities from North America to East Asia. This newly published monograph has been created by the architect together with author Philip Jodidio as an updated edition of their 2008 monograph.

National Museum of Qatar, Doha (Qatar) 2003 – 2019 | image © Iwan Baan

inside the monograph book

The impressive works included within the colossal monograph book emphasize Jean Nouvel’s contextual and stylistic range. Amongst its pages can be found the Sharaan Desert Resort in Saudi Arabia, an ongoing, site-specific project which integrates into the dramatic landscape of one of the nation’s most important archaeological sites.

One of his most recognizable recent works, the National Museum of Qatar, makes an appearance within the colossal monograph with its monumental fractal structure photographed by Iwan Baan. Designing the sculptural museum, Jean Nouvel took influence from a natural formation known as the desert rose. This flower-like condition occurs naturally in the gulf region when minerals crystallize in the crumbling soil just below the surface of a shallow salt basin.

Montpellier City Hall, Montpellier, 2003 – 2011 | image © Sergio Pirrone

The Museum of Art Pudong (MAP), which opened in Shanghai during summer 2021, is showcased in Jean Nouvel’s latest book with its massive structure clad in white granite. Alongside this heavy stone structure, the main elevation is largely glazed, which helps tie the new architecture in with the river below and its backdrop of glass high-rises. Upon its completion the museum had introduced more than 10,000 square-meters of exhibition space over thirteen exhibition halls.

The endless collection of works can now be explored in full as the monograph is available for purchase by TASCHEN. What’s more, an exclusive Art Edition signed by Jean Nouvel is available now for pre-order, with editions limited to 200 copies. This rare version comes with an art print of a sketch by Jean Nouvel of the Shenzhen Opera House and a custom-designed metal case.

Cidade Matarazzo – Torre Rosewood, São Paulo, 2012 — ongoing | © Ateliers Jean Nouvel