Architecture Trend Press has been founded since the third exhibition of New Trends of Architecture in Europe and Asia-Pacific with a “Dream.” Our dream to establish a Forum of Opinions that contains ambitions: to benefit from being no longer fixed by ground to communicate and to exchange our thoughts and ideas; which means we value more when one meets the other, face to face; then, let’s balance the combination of both.

Therefore, the mission of Architecture Trend Press will be to document the whole process of “exchange” and to make those hidden knowledge shareable with architects all round the world, to elaborate one's critical point of view, by using the maximum field of debatable space – the web.


Our first trial began with New Trends of Architecture in Europe and Asia-Pacific 2004-2005 in Lille, which started its exhibition with a successful opening in Maison Folie de Moulins and finalizing with a workshop that took place in Maison Folie of Roubaix (La Condition Publique).

For 2 days, 18 groups of architects from Europe and Asia-Pacific had several opportunities besides the public occasions, to spend time together to deepen the conversations amongst themselves. Those scenes could be seen mainly in the bus during moving from one place to another, or over food and drinks.

The charm of New Trends is not only to be selected as the representative architect of their country or region and to make an exhibition, but it is indeed in the participation of the events, which gives chances to communicate with the architects of their generation to share their experiences.

Some already met and some were new. In any case, each architects had their individual ways to guide through the given days, to have honest conversations and to have true “exchange.” Since this exhibition will travel round different cities (Hong Kong, Tokyo, Cork and Melbourne) during the coming year, and there will always be special events organized in each city, it will surely be exciting to see the developing of the reunion.


As an Architecture Trend Press, I interviewed many people who were involved in this event. I would like to use this opportunity to thank all the architects who contributed in giving great comments. So, let’s hear their opinions, but first, starting by Caroline David, the director of exhibitions Programing Arts visuels & Architecture, and Dominique Perrault, the commissioner. The interviews of 20 groups of architects will be updated from time to time during the period of the exhibition.

1. Please explain about the event of "Lille 2004" in general, and about the position of "New Trends of Architecture in Europe and Asia-Pacific 2004-2005" within the whole event.

Lille 2004 is an European and International event. In such context, the exhibition "New Trends of Architecture" is exactly what we are looking for because it presents new architectural and urban projects created by very high quality agencies from Europe and Asia-Pacific. It is a unique opportunity to see the architecture trends from all over the world.


2. What do you think about this exhibition in general?

New Trends is characterised by its diversity. The projects are eclectics and clearly show that the architects are really concerned by the human way of life.


3. The exhibition and the web page is about "exchange" through the discipline of architecture. What do you think about the concept of "exchange" and its possibilities?

I think there is no creation without exchange. It is a necessary condition to develop a project.


4. Could you give some comments on our web page?

Your web page is very clear. It is easy to access to the different links and I like the sobriety of its design.

1. What do you think about this exhibition in general?

I think it is a very exciting exhibition. It is an important approach to merge the Asian architects and the European architects because it became obvious since now, we are in front of a global, a cultural development phase. Therefore, it is important for us, not only for the European people but also for the Asian people to try to have an exchange about the ideas, about the feelings and about the aesthetics’ approaches.


2. The exhibition and the web page is about "exchange" through the discipline of architecture. What do you think about the concept of "exchange" and its possibilities?

I think that it is impossible to forget about this kind of event, like the opening of an exhibition where all architects from their countries gather because it is a physical human relationship event. You could get some exchange with the web network but at least for once, it is necessary to meet the people physically. And we could speak, we could take a dinner, we could drink some wine. It is impossible to feel physical emotional situation through the web site. The web site is perfect for invitations, for communication and for exchange about some information, but for the physical exchange, this kind of event is fantastic.


3. The exhibition will make a tour round EU, Asian and Pacific countries. What do you think about this?

This exhibition is traveling, and it is very important that it goes round not only the big cities, like Tokyo and Melbourne, but also in the city of Cork in Ireland or in Lille in France. It is very important for these kinds of cities to have an exhibition like this, because it is an international exhibition in a regional city.


4. What kind of events would you want to have or do you have any suggestions to enhance this concept of “exchange”?

My supreme idea will be, in each city where the exhibition will be done, the political people or maybe investors should get a commission for one or two or three architects from this exhibition. So, I proposed to the city of Lille, to involve some architects from this exhibition in some competition in France or in some other countries.