June 1 - July 1, 2008
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ALAIN MOATTI AND HENRI RIVIÉRE
France
The agency Moatti and Riviére brings together Alain Moatti, architect and interior designer since 1985, and Henri Riviére, architect, designer and 1990 graduate of the Camondo School. Along with their complementary training they have a shared artistic sensibility. In 2001, after following parallel careers, they decided to bring together their experiences to found their own agency of architecture and scene design.
Imagination, emotion, subversion of the status quo and history of place are all drawn on to create their projects, but their vision remains anchored in reality. In 2001, they were chosen by Jean-Paul Gaultier to transform an abandoned early 20th century mansion into his headquarters and showroom. The result was an immense success.
Next, Alain Moatti and Henri Riviére were invited to numerous prestigious competitions, both public and private (e.g. Maison de la Radio, the Louvre Museum, etc.). They designed the renovation and expansion of the Champollion Museum, a museum of writing in Figeac (contest winner in November, 2001); the expansion of the International Museum of Fashion and Lace in Calais (2004-2008); and the creation of the Historial Charles-de-Gaulle at Invalides in Paris 2005-2007. They also transformed the Great Hall of the old workshop of the SNCF (national train company) in Arles into an exhibition space and auditorium (2005-2007). They have just received the commission to design the worldwide stores for Yves Saint-Laurent and they completed the group of luxury stores in La Croisette, Cannes (2006-2007).
Relentlessly on the lookout for innovative, original, and unexpected materials with almost magical effects, Alain Moatti and Henri Riviére have become new craftsmen of both forgotten methods and future technologies. They are demanding, believing exceptional places deserve the audaciousness of the spectacular.
