Ateliers A+ Wins Public Prize at Festival des Architectures Vives with Panache de Lumière

Ateliers A+ has been awarded the Public Prize at the 2026 Festival des Architectures Vives for their installation Panache de Lumière, displayed in the hidden Cour de la Petite Loge in Montpellier, France. The installation features over 600 coloured elements suspended from a lightweight steel structure, creating a kinetic canopy that responds to wind and sunlight. The team of six, including architects Eline Thibaut, Marie Felipe, Valentin Bancarel, Bastien Lauras, landscape engineer Camille Le Joly, and urban planner Julie Guiraud, designed the piece around the festival's theme of 'panache'. The festival, marking its 20th edition, focused on the theme of Transmission, pairing experienced architects with new teams. Panache de Lumière was one of thirteen installations spread across Montpellier's historic courtyards. After the festival, the installation was dismantled and will be reinstalled at the Chartreuse Notre-Dame-du-Val-de-Bénédiction in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon for the Architecture en Fête festival. The work draws inspiration from stained glass and references other kinetic installations like Vincent Leroy's Point Cloud in Beijing and Emmanuelle Moureaux's 100 Colors in Hong Kong.