Grand Prix de l’Urbanisme 2022: Interview with Franck Boutté

On December 12, 2022, Franck Boutté was awarded the Grand Prix de l’Urbanisme (Urban Planning Prize) 2022 by Olivier Klein, French Minister for Housing and Urban Development. It was a day of fascinating round table meetings, bringing together city stakeholders and invested guests to explore a range of subjects.

For the occasion of winning the Grand Prix, Franck was interviewed by Ariella Masboungi, architect, urban planner, and winner of the Grand Prix de l’urbanisme 2016, and talked about the chief challenges facing Atelier Franck Boutté, as well as the 12 areas of exploration that provide a framework for Franck’s and the studio’s thinking.

Established in 1989, the Grand Prix de l’Urbanisme (Urban Planning Prize) is awarded each year to a leading figure in the industry by an international jury. It recognizes the work of professionals who contribute to achieving progress in the discipline and improving the living environment of people in every region. Each year, a book is published featuring the work of the prize winner and nominees.

In 2022, the jury chose Atelier Franck Boutté for the studio’s pioneering approach to environmental engineering for architectural, urban, and regional programs. AFB’s dual approach as engineer and designer, and its position as both consultant and project manager, allows it to reinterpret projects by pursuing innovative, contextual, and even vernacular solutions.