Howard Waterfall Retreat competition 1st Prize winner - Mathieu Henri Pierre Nouhen

We’d like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the first prize winner of our Howard Waterfall Retreat Competition – Mathieu Henri Pierre Nouhen from France!

Mathieu Henri Pierre Nouhen from France

Please tell us about your company (when it was founded, where it is based, how many employees, etc) Alternatively, if you do not have a company, please give us some insights on your own professional/academia background.

I am an architect graduated in 2016, based in Lyon, France. My professional background includes experiences in Switzerland and southern France before I established myself in Lyon. My activities are enriched by teaching in several architecture schools and co-founding Studio Tephra, an association dedicated to architectural research and experimentation.

Brief information about the projects that you/your company have been involved with. For instance, what scale have you focused on/preferred, any significant projects where the company/ individuals have been Involved?

The projects I have developed cover various programs, notably cultural facilities such as music halls and private housing. My current orientation favors specialization in rehabilitation, following an ethical approach to the architectural profession. This approach values existing built heritage when technical and programmatic conditions allow.

What does architecture mean to you and what is the role of an architect in your society?

Architecture holds a central position in contemporary societal challenges. Beyond the foundations of the Vitruvian triad, it must now fully integrate its environmental impact. This evolution requires an approach that considers all insertion ecosystems: social, faunal, floristic, and climatological.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

My regular participation in idea competitions maintains the in-depth conceptual dimension of architectural work. This practice is also nourished by creating micro-architecture installations for contemporary art festivals. These experiences generate a continuous dynamic of experimentation, research, and reflection.

What advice would you give to individuals who struggle to decide whether it would be beneficial for them to participate in architecture competitions?

Each practitioner must identify their specific needs in architecture. Idea competitions constitute a relevant method: they offer a structuring and motivating temporal framework for architectural production, while giving concrete purpose to reflections. This approach also allows exploration of architectural programs with typically limited access.