h2o architectes

h2o architectes is an office of creative architectural design also specializing in the restoration of ancient monuments. Established as a firm in 2005, the leading architects have had multiple collaborations since 2000. They have executed projects and won international competitions both as independent architects as well as for other major architects (Bruno Decaris, Jakob+MacFarlane, Bernard Tschumi). h2o works on a wide scope of projects and scales including historical monuments and sites, urban planning, architecture and design. In all projects, program development engages a team of experts from various fields, constantly renewing the relationship between context / program, use / material and precision research in innovative solutions. For every question, numerous alternatives are considered stimulating a rich and fruitful discussion with the client as well as a positive correlation between all possible envisaged resolutions. In every projects and at different scales the office intends to combine a controled duality between a determinated possibility of uses and some situations offering possibilities for appropriation. These somewhat uncharted spaces allow for the invention of any kind of practices and customs, and therefore, for the modification of the individual’s place in a more and more controlled social space. The various fields of creativity give birth, either with awareness or not, to the office’s approach and inspiration. The undefined role of intuition is also crucial in the office way of work. The junction between an inductive and strict process with a more free approach conducts to turn each project into an adventure both realistic and sensitive. The office has just been awarded the Najap Prize 2008 : a recognition of a selection of young European architects and landscape planners organised by the French ministry of culture and communication. The office has also been recently selected by the international magazine Wallpaper* for their world architects directory 2009, a selection of the best 30 emerging practices. Both Jean-Jacques Hubert and Antoine Santiard currently teach Architectural Design on a part time basis Mr. Hubert at ESAT, Superior Technical and Art School in Paris and Mr. Santiard at GSAPP, Columbia University, Paris/NY Program.