Amiens

While the city of Amiens contains one of the world’s most celebrated Gothic Cathedrals, the city and the urban fabric of its Historic Center still bear scars from the military actions of World War II. The mayor, along with leading European urban planners and architects led by Rob Krier, have formulated a plan for the rejuvenation and restoration of the town center. Twelve sites were identified for private and public development and twelve architects were invited to design a variety of infill buildings for these sites. John Blatteau Associates, being the only American architectural firm invited to participate, was chosen because of its expertise in and concern for creating new urban classical architecture.

The site, within view of the Cathedral square, was designated for Hotel and Commercial development. Our design responded to this program, with a hotel designed in the 17th century classical style of Henry IV, typical of the Picardy region where Amiens is located. Using brick and stucco, materials that are indigenous to northern France, the modern hotel program has been stylistically integrated into the existing texture and urban fabric of Amiens. The design has met with the approval of the mayor and citizens of Amiens. The drawings have been exhibited in Brussels, Paris and Frankfurt in connection with the urban renewal efforts of the town. The Paris journal Le Figaro acknowledged that the only American participant in the program was “the most successful in creating truly a French architecture”.