Odile Decq facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Odile Decq
Decq at GSAPP
Born	1955 (age 69–70) Laval, France
Occupation	Architect
Practice	Studio Odile Decq

Odile Decq (born in 1955) is a famous French architect and teacher. She started her own company, Studio Odile Decq, in Paris. She also founded an architecture school called Confluence Institute. Odile Decq is known for her unique style, which she describes as "goth."

Becoming an Architect

Early School Days

In the 1970s, Odile Decq began studying at the École Régionale d'Architecture de Rennes. At first, she was told she might not become an architect. But she didn't give up! After two years, she moved to Paris to continue her studies at La Villette. During this time, there were many student protests, so she spent a lot of time learning outside of class.

Working and Learning

To help pay for her education, Odile Decq started working for Philippe Boudon. He was a French writer and architect who studied how buildings are designed. Odile helped him with his research because she was good at reading and writing. After four years, she decided to focus on finishing her own degree.

She graduated in 1978 from the École nationale supérieure d'architecture de Paris-La Villette. She also earned a special degree in urban planning in 1979. Urban planning is about designing how cities and towns are built and organized.

Odile Decq's Career

Starting Her Own Firm

Odile Decq opened her own architecture company in 1979. Later, her partner, Benoît Cornette, joined her after he also became an architect in 1985. Together, they formed the company ODBC.

One of their most famous early projects was the Banque Populaire de l’Ouest building in Rennes, France, built in 1990. This building was special because it was one of the first office buildings in France made with a metal structure. It won many awards and made them known around the world.

Designing with Models

Odile Decq and Benoît Cornette loved to use models in their work. They would build small versions of their designs with parts that could be moved around. This helped them test different ideas and make sure their buildings would work well.

A New Chapter

Sadly, Benoît Cornette passed away in 1998. Odile Decq continued to lead the company, still called ODBC for a while. In 2013, she changed the name to Studio Odile Decq. This change was important because she wanted her own designs to be recognized as hers.

After this, Odile Decq became even more creative. She designed many well-known buildings, like the extension of the MACRO Museum in Rome. Her projects became bigger and more daring.

Her Design Philosophy

Odile Decq believes that buildings should be places where people feel good and can live comfortably. She says a building "has to have a kind of humanistic approach." This means she designs spaces that are good for people.

Her unique style and strong ideas have won her many honors. In 1996, she received the Golden Lion of Architecture at the Venice Biennale. She also won the Jane Drew Prize in 2016 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Architizer in 2017. These awards show how important her work is in the world of architecture.

Teaching the Next Generation

Since 1992, Odile Decq has taught architecture at the École Spéciale d’Architecture in Paris. She even became the head of the architecture department there in 2007.

In 2012, she decided to open her own school, the Confluence Institute for Innovation and Creative Strategies in Architecture. It opened in Lyon, France, in 2014. She wanted to teach students to be independent and express their ideas clearly. Her school moved to Paris in 2019 and is recognized by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). This school helps young architects learn to be creative and take risks in their designs.

Beyond Buildings: Design and Art

Odile Decq also designs furniture and other items. She created furniture for the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. She has also designed lamps and other pieces for different companies.

She loves contemporary art and has even had her own art exhibitions. Her art often connects to her architectural ideas, showing how she sees the world of design. She has created graphic art and installations for galleries and art events in Paris and Venice.

Important Projects

• 1990 – Banque populaire de l’Ouest (BPO) in Rennes, France
• 1996 – French pavilion at the Venice Biennale of Architecture
• 1999 – Viaduct and Operation Center for the A14 motorway in Nanterre, France
• 2001 – UNESCO Conference Hall in Paris, France (renovation and furniture)
• 2010 – MACRO, Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome, Italy (extension)
• 2011 – PHANTOM, L'Opéra Restaurant at the Opéra Garnier in Paris, France
• 2012 – FRAC Bretagne, Regional Contemporary Art Fund in Rennes, France
• 2014 – GL Events Headquarters in Lyon, France
• 2015 – Fangshan Tangshan National Geopark Museum in Nanjing, China
• 2015 – Confluence Institute for Innovation and Creative Strategies in Architecture in Lyon, France (renovation)
• 2016 – Le CARGO, offices and startup incubator in Paris, France
• 2020 – Antares building in Barcelona, Spain

Awards and Honors

Odile Decq has received many awards for her amazing work:

• 1990 – Architecture and Working Space Award - AMO
• 1991 – International Award of Architecture Andrea Palladio
• 1996 – Golden Lion of the Venice Biennale of Architecture
• 2001 – Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters, France
• 2003 – Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor, France
• 2007 – International Fellowship of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
• 2013 – Women in Architecture Prize, ARVHA
• 2013 – MAISON&OBJET Designer of the Year
• 2015 – Doctorate honoris causa in architecture, Université Laval
• 2016 – Jane Drew Prize, Architects' Journal
• 2017 – Architizer A+Awards — Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2018 – European Cultural Centre Architecture Award, Venice

See also

In Spanish: Odile Decq para niños