François Chatillon

In his approach to architecture, François Chatillon considers there is no theoretical rupture between the restoration of old buildings and creativity, between heritage and its contemporary expression.

After more than 10 years of architectural projects that included social housing, public and cultural facilities, in 1999 François Chatillon joined the Centre des Hautes Etudes de Chaillot and trained in order to understand construction techniques of old buildings. Appointed Architecte en Chef des Monuments Historiques in 2005, a large part of his professional activity is dedicated to restoring outstanding architectural heritage works (Grand Palais, Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Chateau de Voltaire… ).

In addition to these fascinating responsibilities, he was entrusted several strong and emblematic buildings of twentieth century heritage such as the Halles du Boulingrin by Emile Maigrot and Eugene Freyssinet (Reims), the Cité de Refuge by Le Corbusier (Paris 13th Arrondissement), the Piscine des Amiraux by Henri Sauvage (Paris 18th Arrondissement) and the Maison des Sciences de l’Homme by Lods, Depondt and Beauclair (Paris 6th Arrondissement).

« Conserve to create, create to conserve », François Chatillon is dedicated to bringing heritage alive. He militates for a modern vision of conservation: to surpass the conflict between preservation, conversion and the use of a building is a creative act; a genuine, innovative and scholarly approach.

Renewing, adapting and transforming, with the associated issues regarding regulations, accessibility and usage, whilst incorporating new ways of life, are the challenges that drive all of François Chatillon’s work and that of his teams, within a truly forward-looking and collaborative approach.

To undertake these exciting and demanding challenges, the François Chatillon Architecte practice is composed of 20 highly skilled employees: architects, heritage architects, engineers, landscape architects, graphic artists, designers, restoration specialists, historians.