French master of the oblique dies aged 93

Claude Parent, one of France’s most influential modernist architects, died at the weekend, the day after his 93rd birthday.

He is credited with paving the way for the architecture of Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry and Daniel Libeskind.

Parent is known as the father of oblique architecture, which is characterised by ramps and slopes and prioritises space over surfaces such as walls.

He developed the concept with the philosopher and urban planner Paul Virilio after experiencing the disorientation of a Second World War bunker that had slumped down a sand dune, blurring the distinction between walls and floor.

They formed Architecture Principe and together designed the church of Sainte Bernadette du Balay at Nevers, central France, in 1963-66 (pictured).

Among Parent’s other key works are the angular Villa Drusch in Versailles, 1973, and Maison Bordeaux le Pecq in Normandy, 1963, with its wave-like concrete roof.

He was also responsible for schools, a theatre and a power station.

Parent won the Grand National Prize for Architecture in 1979 and was made a commander of the Legion of Honour in 2010.

 

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