Author(s): Éric Garandeau (Text by); Jean. Nouvel (Text by); Sou Fujimoto (Text by)

Architecture & Interiors

"The future of architecture is nature."

Founded in 2009 by Manal Rachdi, OXO Architectes creates particularly innovative projects that are distinguished by a programmatic symbiosis bringing together within a single building several typologies such as offices, shops and housing. All projects designed by OXO Architectes integrate natural elements - terraces, interior forests or green walls - with the aim of creating architectural systems that can renew the experience of urbanity and the city. For OXO, the future of the city is nature.

With experience working with some of the most renowned contemporary architects such as Duncan Lewis and Jean Nouvel, Manal Rachdi has worked on the projects for the Seoul Opera House, the Philharmonie de Paris and the mixed-use tower of the MoMa in New York. With his firm, Rachdi has created particularly bold projects that always show great attention to the surrounding urban context. Among his most notable projects are:
* "Le Cristal" housing complex in Nanterre.
* The Polytechnique building in Saclay in collaboration with Sou Fujimoto and NLA Paris.
* Mille Arbres - the winning project of the "Réinventer Paris" competition, also in collaboration with Sou Fujimoto.
* Balcon sur Paris - the winning project of the "Inventons la Métropole" competition in collaboration with the agencies Kengo Kuma & Associates + XTU Architects + Stefano Boeri Architetti + Michael Green Architecture + Koz Architectes

At nearly 43 years old and after 15 years at the head of his agency, Manal Rachdi has forged a solid international reputation and is one of the pillars of a new generation of architects