Bernard Tschumi
ABOUT THE ARCHITECT
Bernard Tschumi is a visionary architect and theorist whose work bridges architecture, philosophy, and urban experience. Born in Switzerland in 1944, he became known for challenging traditional ideas of form and function, proposing that architecture should not merely house activities but generate new kinds of interactions. His designs—such as Parc de la Villette in Paris and the Acropolis Museum in Athens—reflect a fascination with movement, sequence, and the tension between order and chaos. Tschumi often employs layering, fragmentation, and contrast to create spaces that invite interpretation and change. Beyond his buildings, his writings and teaching have profoundly shaped contemporary architectural thought, emphasizing architecture as both a physical and conceptual discipline. Combining rational geometry with emotional experience, Tschumi’s work continues to question how architecture can provoke, engage, and evolve within the complexities of modern life and culture.
PROJECTS:
PARC DE LA VILLETTE
Paris - France
ADDRESS:
211 Av. Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris, France
ACCESS:
This is a public park and access is FREE to the public. The Tschumi follies are arrayed across the park.
Parc de la Villette, designed by Bernard Tschumi, represents a radical rethinking of what an urban park can be. Instead of traditional landscapes and paths, the design is structured by a system of points, lines, and surfaces—an architectural framework overlaid on open green space. Bright red follies punctuate the site, serving as visual anchors and functional pavilions for exhibitions, cafés, and activities. Pathways, lawns, and thematic gardens intersect fluidly, encouraging exploration rather than fixed circulation. Tschumi’s design blends architecture, movement, and event, treating the park as a space for cultural interaction rather than passive leisure. The result is a dynamic environment where structure and chance coexist, embodying the deconstructivist idea that architecture can organize experiences rather than simply contain them. Parc de la Villette stands as a living laboratory of contemporary design, merging art, architecture, and public life on an urban scale.
DESCRIPTION:
The park is large and could take quite a bit of time to see in full. Be sure to see the Philharmonic and the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie.
NOTES:
New York City, NY - United States
BLUE
ACCESS:
Restricted: This is a private residence and access to the public is not permitted.
ADDRESS:
100 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002
The Blue Building by Bernard Tschumi in New York City is a bold exploration of geometry, transparency, and urban context. Rising from the Lower East Side, the faceted glass tower breaks from the neighborhood’s rectilinear grid with its sharply angled form and deep blue curtain wall. The building’s crystalline façade reflects the shifting light of the city, creating a constantly changing presence that contrasts yet complements its brick surroundings. Inside, Tschumi’s design emphasizes openness and verticality, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing expansive views of Manhattan. The architecture embodies Tschumi’s interest in movement and spatial experience—each floor offering slightly different orientations and visual connections. More than a residential structure, Blue acts as an architectural statement within the dense city fabric, expressing individuality, clarity, and the idea that contemporary architecture can both disrupt and enhance the urban landscape.
DESCRIPTION:
The park is large and could take quite a bit of time to see in full. Be sure to see the Philharmonic and the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie.
NOTES:
