Thomas Coldefy and Isabel Van Haute are the duo of Coldefy & Associates Architects Urbanists, leading the diverse international team based in Lille, France.
The firm is characterized by their dynamism and creativity, animated by an international tropism that drives them to participate regularly in professional events around the world as well as in large international competitions. Their originality and resourcefulness have brought them success in a number of entries, including the Hong Kong Design Institute which they won in 2006 against 162 teams. As a result of this success the firm has opened an office in Hong Kong where the architects now visit regularly.
The firm’s international activity extends beyond Asia, having won the international conference center in Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso in 2009, the Public Service Hall in Kobuleti, Georgia in 2012, and was awarded the silver prize for the IDA awards 2012.In France, CAAU continues to develop a number of projects, notably at the heart of the Lille metropolitan area where they won the competition for a mixed-use building in Euralille. Additionally, they won the Lucie Aubrac secondary school in Tourcoing, the first ‘BBC’ rated low-energy building in region. Finally, associated with Steven Holl, they were one of the five finalist teams in the international competition for the Louvre II in Lens.
The firm distinguishes itself with an open and innovative spirit acquired in high-quality international offices, particularly in the United States. Their project method employs extreme consideration to the site, an urban culture concerned with the appropriate density and diversity, as well as a conceptualization process where the various project factors are continually brought together to the point of overlap.
Henceforth positioned as a young firm not to be overlooked, the office strives to develop collaborations with the best public and private clients in both France and abroad.