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Creative Minds

Elizabeth de Portzamparc

The Brazilian-born architect strikes a balance between movement and reflection

By Jacqueline Terrebonne
Close-up of modern building facade with wavy, alternating black and gold reflective panels creating a dynamic pattern.
The Museum Romanité in Nîmes, France. Photo: Sergio Grazia

To bring a multidisciplinary approach to cultural projects, such as the much-acclaimed Musée de la Romanité in France, Brazilian-born architect Elizabeth de Portzamparc’s Paris firm employs urbanists, sociologists, and set designers. This past January, she introduced a collaboration with Lalique that includes a vase based on the museum’s undulating glass façade.

“I always like working with shapes that sculpt the light and create airiness. For my collaboration with Lalique, I wanted to find the right balance between movement and reflections in order to create an impression of levitation and dematerialization. It’s a work of extreme precision and delicacy.” Upcoming is the Taichung Intelligence Operation Center in Taiwan.

Person in a black coat and beret, holding translucent sheets, inside a busy market or store environment.
Elizabeth de Portzamparc. Karine Faby. Courtesy of Lalique SA et Elizabeth de Portzamparc

Recommended: Lalique Unveils Stunning Sculpture Collection by Artist Arik Levy

Close-up of modern building facade with wavy, alternating black and gold reflective panels creating a dynamic pattern.
The Museum Romanité in Nîmes, France. Sergio Grazia

Silver, abstract, twisted sculpture with smooth and reflective surfaces, casting a shadow on a black background.
Tandrillah by Elizabeth de Portzamparc for Lalique. Courtesy of Lalique SA et Elizabeth de Portzamparc

A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2020 Spring Issue under the headline Creative Minds. Subscribe to the magazine.