Simon Teyssou, honored with the Grand Prix de l'Urbanisme 2023

Simon Teyssou: When rurality inspires urban planning

There are moments that mark a turning point in a professional's life. Moments that reward years of hard work, passion, creativity, and innovation. In the field of urbanism, one of these crucial moments is undoubtedly the awarding of the Grand Prix de l'Urbanisme. This distinction honors the work of designers who have devoted their careers to rethinking our living spaces. OOTI takes a closer look at the journey of the 2023 laureate, Simon Teyssou, and explains the motivations behind his nomination.

Simon Teyssou | A leading figure in urbanism

Simon Teyssou is an architect-urbanist with an exceptional career who has made a name for himself in the world of urban planning. Hailing from Clermont-Ferrand, Simon grew up in Auvergne and has always been deeply passionate about his region. He began his career by founding the Atelier du Rouget, an architectural agency located in Cantal. This place, at the heart of rurality, perfectly illustrates his commitment to enhancing these often neglected territories. Simon Teyssou is a hands-on individual, eager to breathe new life into these forgotten areas.

"At the Atelier, we propose an architecture that may seem simple but is demanding, where everything is carefully designed. Designing without constructing would mean missing out on the details, missing out on architecture!" – Simon Teyssou

In 2019, Simon took the helm of the École nationale supérieure d’architecture de Clermont-Ferrand (Ensa). Through this position, he has the opportunity to share his vision of urbanism with the new generation of architects. As director, he brings a different perspective to urban planning, emphasizing the importance of interaction between urban areas and their rural neighbors. For him, the diversity of intervention methods is a valuable asset, as well as social cohesion, which he sees as a pillar of architecture's future.

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Grand Prix of Urbanism | A significant recognition

The innovative approach of Simon Teyssou

Simon Teyssou's approach was highly praised by the jury. His dedication and thoughtfulness towards often modest and forgotten territories in urban planning make him a major figure in the field.

"The urban sprawl in favor of housing developments makes me question the future we want for our landscapes, our agriculture. Opportunities exist in small centralities." – Simon Teyssou

Why Simon Teyssou? Here are some reasons that explain his nomination:

• He stands out for realizing ambitious, qualitative, and creative architectural projects in frequently neglected and financially constrained territories.
• He has shed light on the issues raised by rurality and the future of small centralities.
• As the director of the École nationale supérieure d’architecture de Clermont-Ferrand, he has highlighted the importance of complementarity between rural territories and their urban neighbors.

Rouget Park | The emblematic work of Simon Teyssou

Located in Cantal, the Parc du Rouget is a significant piece in Teyssou's portfolio. This unique architectural project in the heart of a rural area successfully met the needs of public contractors while respecting the surrounding natural environment. It is living proof that urban planning is not limited to big cities, and ambitious, environmentally-friendly projects can be achieved in rural zones.

Architecture at the service of rural territories

Simon Teyssou is an inspiration for all stakeholders in the fields of urbanism and architecture. His innovative work, his commitment to rural and peri-urban territories, and his ability to design qualitative and environmentally-friendly projects make him a more than deserving laureate of the Grand Prix de l'Urbanisme 2023. A valuable lesson to remember: urban planning can be a true force for development and embellishment in all territories.

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I don't have time to read everything, can you give me a little summary?
1. Simon Teyssou, an architect-urbanist and director of the École nationale supérieure d’architecture de Clermont-Ferrand, has won the Grand Prix de l’Urbanisme 2023.
2. The Grand Prix de l’Urbanisme 2023 is an annual award given to a recognized personality by an international jury, for their significant contribution to the field of urban planning and their commitment to improving the living environment in all territories.
3. Simon Teyssou's recognition stems from his innovative work in the development and enhancement of rural and peri-urban territories.
4. His unique approach harmoniously blends urban planning and rurality, allowing rural areas to gain attractiveness and dynamism.
5. The impact of his work on rural urbanism has been considerable, and he is seen as an inspiring figure for the future of rural architecture.