Manuelle Gautrand

Manuelle Gautrand Architecture is an architectural practice based in Paris and Avignon (France). It was founded by Manuelle Gautrand and her partner, Marc Blaising, in 1991. In her eponymous studio, Manuelle Gautrand and her team constantly question our new lifestyles and the territory in which the project is located. A multitude of programmes are studied, large and small, ranging from public and cultural projects to hotel, office and housing projects, with a growing proportion of conversion and restructuring projects. Each project is designed to serve the city and its citizens, with an innovative and sensitive approach. Far from international and standardised architecture, and after a period of scientific analysis, each project is eminently contextual and functional, but also imbued with beauty and poetry. Far from simplistic duplication of labels, the team seeks the most relevant environmental solution, drawing heavily on the local and cultural qualities of the site, its history, geography and topography. Around this environmental ambition, the team develops an approach to materials that is as scientific as it is sensorial, mostly sourced from local resources and highlighting the expertise and craftsmanship of the region. A successful, meaningful and generous architecture brings value, and to be “successful”, it must also tell a story, take you on a journey. Manuelle Gautrand and her team are passionate about generating a desire for architecture in the minds of their clients and inspiring them to travel through their projects: ‘We are “storytellers”, and this part of our job is perhaps one of the most poetic.’ Manuelle Gautrand was born in Marseille (France) and she graduated as an architect from the “Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture” of Montpellier. Manuelle Gautrand is an architect who follows a rigorous career path, with projects that trace an ambitious and precise trajectory: all her projects are eminently contextual, revealing a site, celebrating its qualities with accuracy and sensitivity, while at the same time questioning the programme to offer future users a memorable experience. Manuelle Gautrand has been awarded and named laureate in 2017 with Europe’s Highest Award for Architecture by The European Centre for Architecture, Art Design and Urban Studies, and The Chicago Athenaeum / Museum of Architecture and Design. She has received numerous other awards and has been in 2025 awarded the rank of Commander of Arts and Letters by the Ministry of Culture, the highest rank in this order. She sits on numerous councils and committees attached to the Ministry of Culture, working on the future of large cities, the future of public space in our cities, and the place of art in the city. Member of the Fine Arts Committee of the Société d'Encouragement pour l'Industrie Nationale (2013-2018). Marc Blaising was born in Strasbourg (France) and he graduated from the “Institut d’Administration des Entreprises” of Montpellier. After a career in management consultancies, he joined Manuelle Gautrand to manage MANUELLE GAUTRAND ARCHITECTURE studio. He is responsible for the agency's organisation, communications, strategy, management, finance and legal aspects. Some have been here for a few months, others for a few years for those who still work here, the same for those who have left, some as trainees, others as young architects, others as project managers. Most are / were architects, but others were model makers, graphic designers, communications assistants, secretaries and so on. For those who no longer work for us, some have created their own agency and are now recognised architects, others work in an agency as salaried employees, some have changed profession and are no longer architects, some have formed a couple with another architect from the agency, and some have unfortunately passed away. Some work in France and others have returned to their country of origin. We have news from some and none from others... All o