French architect and designer Jean Nouvel was born in Fumel, Lot-et-Garonne (in the southeast of France) on 12 August 1945. He graduated from the architecture programme at École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts around 1972. Since embarking on his professional career, Nouvel has strived to create his own architectural language.
In recognition of his work, he has been awarded an honorary degree from the University of Buenos Aires and the Grand Prix d’Architecture, as well as being named a Chevalier of the French Ordre National du Mérite.
His latest projects include New York's Soho Hotel, the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris, Rio de Janeiro's Guggenheim Museum, the Lyon Opera House, and Madrid's Reina Sofía Museum, the last two outfitted by Figueras. On the Agbar Tower project, Jean Nouvel worked with Fermín Vázquez of the studio b720, who acted as the architect of record for the project.
