Henri Gaudin Retrospective at Institut Français d'Architecture

The Institut français d'architecture in Paris is hosting a comprehensive retrospective of Henri Gaudin, one of France's most reclusive architects, from September 26, 2001 to January 27, 2002. Gaudin, though little known to the public, is revered by professionals for his rigorous approach. His notable projects include the Charléty stadium, the renovation of the Musée Guimet, the extension of Saint-Denis city hall, the University of Amiens, and the École normale supérieure de Lyon. The exhibition, designed by his longtime collaborator Jean-Pierre Le Dantec, spans all galleries at 6 rue de Tournon and showcases Gaudin's evolving work, now increasingly involving his son Bruno. Gaudin's architecture is deeply humanistic, characterized by a focus on light, shadow, and plasticity. He works through constant drawing—using charcoal, pencil, and watercolor—and his sketchbooks and six publications, including the influential "La cabane et le labyrinthe" (1984), reflect his thoughtful engagement with the world. His use of thick, powdery charcoal lines parallels the dense, material shadows his buildings cast on white surfaces. Gaudin is also known for his sensitivity to urban fabric, as seen in his 1986 housing project in Ménilmontant. Before architecture, he served as a ship's doctor, an experience that informs his sense of skin, structure, and suture.