École d'architecture de Nanterre, Abandoned architecture school in Nanterre, France
The École d'architecture de Nanterre is a modern steel structure built on stilts, featuring large metal frameworks and extensive glass surfaces throughout the complex. Its design incorporates open layouts that were planned specifically to support teaching and collaborative student work.
The building was designed by architect Jacques Kalisz in 1970 and served for decades as a center for architectural training. It remained active as an educational institution until its closure in 2005.
The building served as a space where students worked together in rooms designed specifically for creative study and learning. This collaborative approach shaped how architecture education was practiced in France during its decades of operation.
The site is currently not open to the public and is protected by security fencing. You can view the structure from the outside, but cannot enter the building while discussions about its future use continue between local and state authorities.
In 2012, celebrated chef Alain Ducasse proposed converting the building into an international cooking school, an ambitious plan that was ultimately rejected. This episode reflects ongoing interest in the site despite uncertainty about its future direction.
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