RA Architecture Prize winner 2022 Renée Gailhoustet
Renée Gailhoustet was recognised for her extraordinary and prescient contribution to social housing in France and her inspirational approach to building communities and urban planning.
Renée Gailhoustet’s achievements reach far beyond what is produced as social or affordable housing anywhere today. Her work has a strong social commitment that brings together generosity, beauty, ecology, and inclusivity.
Farshid Moussavi RA, Chair of the 2022 Jury
Meet Renée Gailhoustet
The 2022 Prize highlighted housing as one of the most pressing and complex issues of our time and was awarded to French architect Renée Gailhoustet. The jury highlighted her extraordinary contribution to social housing in France and her inspirational approach to building communities and urban planning.
Born in 1929, Gailhoustet dedicated her entire career to developing better social housing in Paris’ suburbs. Her approach to architecture evolved from early projects such as the Spinoza complex, to the distinctive style of her best-known works: La Maladrerie and Le Liégat. The latter has been her home and studio since the project was completed.
Her interest in Parisian suburbs was piqued in 1962 when she joined the office of French architect Roland Dubrelle and participated in the urban renewal of Ivry-sur-Siene. It was in this hugely influential project that she eventually became, together with Jean Renaudie, chief architect.
One of the instantly recognisable features of Gailhoustet’s projects is the staggered and planted terraces that allow nature to permeate domestic spaces in ways that are rarely seen in high-density housing. By using innovative geometries and mixing uses in her buildings, Gailhoustet has created a compelling argument for blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior, and, collective and individual.
Gallery
La Maladrerie, Aubervilliers, 1975-1986,
inv. 999 119 700
Ecole maternelle, La Maladrerie, Aubervilliers, s. d. Plan 1er étage, décompte des surfaces et plan des limites par rapport aux logements, éch. 1:100,
inv. 999 119 106
Logements de personnes âgées en foyer soleil et logements HLM, bâtiment AD, La Maladrerie, Aubervilliers, 1976 Axonométrie vue est, éch. 1:50, 1976
inv. 999 119 006
Ilot 1, zone 1, Marat, centre ville rénovation, Ivry-sur-Seine, s. d. Plan de permis de construire, plan masse,
ZAC Casanova, La Maladrerie, Aubervilliers, s. d. Esquisse de plan masse, éch. 1:200,
inv. 999 119 697
Discover Renée Gailhoustet's work
Find out more about the work of the Royal Academy Architecture Prize 2022 winner, Renée Gailhoustet.
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Royal Academy Architecture Prize
The RA Architecture Prize is awarded to an architect or individual who has been instrumental in shaping the discussion, collection or production of architecture.