Awarding of the Insignia of the National Order of Merit

On Tuesday, September 30th, Franklin Azzi was awarded the Insignia of the National Order of Merit by Didier Fusillier, President of the Réunion des Musées Nationaux and the Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées, following his appointment to the rank of Chevalier in June 2024.

It was an evening filled with emotion, offering him the opportunity to reflect on his journey — from his education at the Glasgow School of Art and the teachings of Paul Virilio, his lifelong mentor, to his early years at Architecture Studio, and eventually the founding of his own firm in 2006.

Above all, it was a chance to thank all those who have supported him along the way: his family and friends, clients and long-standing partners, fellow architects, the artists who, each in their own way, have contributed to the creation and realization of projects, as well as his associates and team members, past and present, who work alongside him with dedication and talent.

This distinction is not just a reward, but also a responsibility. In contrast to a world of "acceleration", he believes it is essential to champion an architecture of precision: measured in its needs, restrained in its expression, and enduring in its ability to evolve over time. To the honor he has received, he responds with a promise: to continue working, inventing, sharing — and making architecture not merely a practice, but a true commitment.

Photos – Alexis Raimbault