The striking modernist Karl Marx Middle School by architect André Lurçat in France has just been announced as winner of the 2018 World Monuments Fund/Knoll Modernism Prize. The building, which was originally inaugurated in 1933 and once described as ‘the most beautiful school in France', was meticulously restored to its former glory by Agence Christiane Schmuckle-Mollard.
The school, which is located in the Parisian suburb of Villejuif, has been in constant use since its opening 85 years ago, and required significant maintenance and modernisation. Following its designation as a listed monument in France, the building was eligible for a healthy injection of funds, enabling the hiring of the architects for the restoration project. Their aim was to preserve the integrity of the structure, while adapting it to new regulations.
The school is now listed as a National Historical Monument in France
At the same time as the winner's revelation, the WMF/Knoll Modernism Prize also announced a special mention; the very first in the award's ten-year history. This honour went to Harboe Architects, PC for their preservation of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple in Oak Park, Illinois. The iconic building, which was created by the great master in 1908, is considered one of Wright's most important works and had suffered from lack of attention. The architects' thorough research and restoration was highly commended by the jury.
The prize, which is announced every two years, is well known for recognising architects or designers ‘who have demonstrated innovative solutions to preserve or save threatened modern architecture'. The winners will be presented with their accolade officially during a ceremony at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York, on 4 December.
The school was originally designed and constructed by French architect André Lurçat
Lurçat designed it with key modernist principles at heart
Upon original completion in 1933, it was described as ’the most beautiful school in France’; now the design can shine again through this meticulous restoration
For the first time in the award’s history, a special mention was given, to the restoration of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple in Oak Park, Illinois
The iconic project’s preservation was overseen by Harboe Architects, PC
In-depth research and restoration works began in 2013
INFORMATION
For more information visit the WMF/Knoll Modernism Prize website
-
Louis Vuitton drafts contemporary artists to use the house’s silk ‘carré’ scarf as a colourful canvasIn a tradition which dates back to the 1980s, Louis Vuitton has asked five artists to reimagine its silk carré scarf using floral motifs
-
'It’s not so much about art, it's more about the process': Tim Burton at the Design Museum'The World of Tim Burton' is now open at the Design Museum.
-
Bedside lamps for illuminated nightsThe Wallpaper* edit of the best design-focused bedside lamps and where to buy them: warm and bright autumn nights with this edit of bedside lamps for your room
-
Tour this Bel Vista house by Albert Frey, restored to its former glory in Palm SpringsAn Albert Frey Bel Vista house has been restored and praised for its revival - just in time for the 2025 Palm Springs Modernism Week Preview
-
2024 Obel Award goes to 36x36 by Colectivo C733 in MexicoThe 2024 Obel Award winner has been announced, crowning 36x36 by Colectivo C733 in Mexico as this year's recipients
-
A new exhibition marks Chandigarh’s modernist legacy‘Celebrating the Capitol’, an exhibition of photographic work by architect Noor Dasmesh Singh, opens just in time for the famed modernist Indian city’s anniversary
-
Join our tour of London Zoo, its modernist architecture and moreLondon Zoo is a well-established magnet for younger visitors, but there's plenty for the architecture enthusiast to admire too; our tour explores its modernist treasures for guests of all ages
-
La Grande Motte: touring the 20th-century modernist dream of a French paradise resortLa Grande Motte and its utopian modernist dreams, as seen through the lens of photographers Laurent Kronental and Charly Broyez, who spectacularly captured the 20th-century resort community in the south of France
-
'Mid-Century Modern Masterpieces' captured in new monograph like no book before'The Atlas of Mid-Century Modern Masterpieces' chronicles hundreds of iconic structures from this golden age of architectural expression
-
Shigeru Ban wins 2024 Praemium Imperiale Architecture AwardThe 2024 Praemium Imperiale Architecture Award goes to Japanese architect Shigeru Ban
-
SANAA scoops 2025 Charlotte Perriand AwardThe 2025 Charlotte Perriand Award has been awarded to Japanese architecture studio SANAA
