French Architect Calls for National Policy on Architecture and Living Environment

Fabien Gantois, vice-president of the Conseil national de l'ordre des architectes (National Council of the Order of Architects) in France, has published an opinion piece in Le Monde arguing that architecture and the living environment should be the subject of a major national policy. In the article, dated August 17, 2026, Gantois warns that poorly constructed buildings today will have to be inhabited, transformed, or demolished by future generations. He emphasizes the long-term consequences of current construction practices and calls for a comprehensive governmental approach to architecture and urban planning. The piece is part of Le Monde's ideas section and reflects ongoing debates in France about the role of architecture in society and the need for sustainable, forward-thinking design. Gantois's position as a leading figure in the French architectural profession lends weight to his appeal for political action.