Atelier LWD

Summary

Atelier LWD was an architecture studio led by Guy Lagneau, Jean Dimitrijevic and Michel Weill that was active from 1952 to 1985. It later took the name of "Atelier d'Etudes Architecturales" (ATEA) (Architectural Studies Workshop) with the addition of Paul Cordoliani, Henri Coulomb (1927–2006), Renzo Moro and Ivan Seifert (1926–2008). The studio originated many public buildings in France and Africa.[1]

History edit

 
1985 La Défense, near Paris: the 1981 Quatre Temps shopping centre on a winter's afternoon

Guy Lagneau (1915–1996) and Michel Weill (1914–2001) met in the studio of Auguste Perret in the National School of Fine Arts established in 1943. They participated with Perret in the reconstruction of Le Havre from 1946, work that was later declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.[2] Laigneau was particularly influenced by Scandinavian architecture, especially steel.[1] Jean Dimitrijevic (1926–2010) joined the agency in 1947 after meeting Guy Lagneau in a Fine Arts workshop he was running. He graduated in 1957 and completed his training at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1959. He then became a partner of the workshop.[3]

The architects created the ATEA in association with a consulting firm, Société d'études techniques et d'aménagements planifiés (SETAP). ATEA-SETAP was involved in many planning operations in Africa, including Guinea, Mauritania and Senegal. At the same time, they accepted numerous public commissions from museums, prefectures, and shopping centers in France. Lagneau also participated as an individual in preparation of master plans and urban development in the Paris region between 1962 and 1965, contributing to creation of new towns.[1]

On many occasions the agency worked with Jean Prouvé in creating innovative metal structures and with the designer Charlotte Perriand for interior design.[1]

Key achievements edit

 
1958 Houses at Cansado, Mauritania.

The partners were responsible for many significant projects, including:[1]

Further reading edit

  • Joseph Abram (1999). L'architecture moderne en France: Du chaos à la croissance 1940-1966. Paris: Picard. pp. 303–304. ISBN 2-7084-0556-X.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e Joseph Abram (Autumn 1995). "Le rêve du réel. Guy Lagneau, Michel Weill, Jean Dimitrijevic, Jean Prouvé et Charlotte Perriand : de la Maison du Sahara aux écoles du Cameroun". Faces. 37. Geneva: 48–54.
  2. ^ "Le Havre, the city rebuilt by Auguste Perret" (PDF). UNESCO. 15 July 2005. Retrieved 2011-03-20.
  3. ^ a b c d Florence Lypsky (8 November 2010). "Hommage à Jean Dimitrijevic". Archived from the original on 3 September 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-18.
  4. ^ "Guy Lagneau". Le Havre. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
  5. ^ a b Joseph ABRAM. "PROUVÉ JEAN, Structures et enveloppes". Encyclopædia Universalis. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
  6. ^ Giampiero, Aloi (1961). Alberghi, motel, ristoranti. Hoepli. pp. 101–102.
  7. ^ Maurice Culot, Jean-Marie Thiveaud, ed. (1992). "WEILL, Michel". Architectures françaises outre-mer. Mardaga. p. 397.
  8. ^ "une Architecture singulière en Essonne: Auguste Perret et ses élèves" (PDF). Conseil général de l'Essonne. 18 January 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-20.
  9. ^ Picon-Lefèbvre, Virginie (2003). Paris-ville moderne: Maine-Montparnasse et la Défense, 1950-1975. EDITIONS NORMA. pp. 182–183. ISBN 2-909283-78-X.