努维尔
جان نوفيل
ז’אן נובל
ジャン·ヌーヴェル
Жан Нувель
장 누벨

Institut du monde arabe

source: gizmodo

The Institut du Monde Arabe (Arab World Institute, for you non-Francophones) is a 19 nation cultural consortium with incredible architectural bragging rights. Merging traditional Arab patterns with clever engineering, its south-facing wall dilates thousands of apertures to control sunlight exposure. The automated wall of the Institute, designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, broadens and narrows entirely on its own—just like the human eye—corresponding with the rising and setting sun. The result? Dazzling interior lighting patterns, and a no-fuss way of keeping cool during the day.
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source: architectureannex

Jean Nouvel’s Institut du Monde Arabe is a museum that focuses on Islamic culture and promotes cultural exchanges between France and the Arab world. Perhaps alluding to that relationship’s complexity, the exterior of the building is emblazoned with mechanical apertures that either close to reduce sunlight or open up to let sunlight bathe the interior. Naturally, the metal panels feature intricate Arabic patterns that tie in the cultural significance of the design.
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source: serpentinegalleries

Jean Nouvel studied at the Ecole nationale supérieure des beaux-arts in Paris. From 1967 to 1970, he worked as an assistant and then as project manager to the acclaimed architects Claude Parent and Paul Virilio. Nouvel has headed his own architectural practice since 1970. In 1994 he established Ateliers Jean Nouvel, which is now one of the largest architectural practices in France with offices worldwide. Ateliers Jean Nouvel specialises in the fields of architecture, urban design, landscape design, industrial design and interior design. Along with the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion commission, Nouvel has recently unveiled his plans for the new National Museum of Qatar.Nouvel’s body of work is unparalleled in its innovation and range. His approach is characterised by a conceptual rigour, rather than by an overarching aesthetic. He emphasises research, analysis and discussion, creating designs that are highly individual to each project. A key part of Nouvel’s process is his embrace of other disciplines, including music, literature and the moving image.