Pierre Debeaux
{{Short description|French architect (1925–2001)}}
{{Infobox architect
|image = 1982 Pierre Debeaux Arch and Angers footbridge model.jpg
|image_size =
|caption =
|nationality = French
|birth_name = Pierre Amédée Bernard Debeaux
|birth_date = {{birth date|1925|7|19|df=y}}
|birth_place = Mazères-sur-Salat,
|death_date = {{death date and age|2001|1|22|1925|7|9|df=y}}
|death_place = Toulouse, Haute-Garonne, France
|signature = Pierre Debeaux Signature.jpg
|significant_buildings=Jacques Vion fire station
Monument to the Glory of the Resistance
Pradier house
|significant_projects = Pic du Midi de Bigorre
}}
File:1978 Pierre Debeaux at Villa Pradier.jpg
Pierre Debeaux (19 July 1925 – 22 January 2001) was a French modernist architect and polymath. He is known for buildings such as the observatory of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, the Jacques Vion fire station and the Monument to the Glory of the Resistance in Toulouse, and the Pradier house in the Tarn, all of which are registered French national landmarks. He is described in the archives of the Haute-Garonne as "the most inventive architect of his generation".{{Cite web |last=Armand |first=Sophie |date=2016 |title=189 J Fonds Pierre Debeaux architecte (1925–2001) |url=https://francearchives.gouv.fr/fr/findingaid/1893766b8deba0292e5992d1eb042bc07e1aa276 |access-date=2023-06-24 |website=Archives Départementales de la Haute-Garonne |language=fr}}{{Cite book |url=https://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb43839205b |title=Patrimoines Midi-Pyrénées , Archives d'architectes |date=2013 |publisher=Conseil régional Midi-Pyrénées |location=Toulouse}}{{Cite web |last=Faham |first=Bryan |date=2023-09-16 |title=La caserne Vion, symbole des Trente Glorieuses, devient un monument historique |url=https://www.lejournaltoulousain.fr/occitanie/haute-garonne/toulouse/caserne-vion-symbole-trente-glorieuses-monument-historique-227946/ |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=www.lejournaltoulousain.fr |language=fr-FR}}
Early life an education
Pierre Amédée Bernard Debeaux was born on July 19, 1925, in Mazères-sur-Salat. His father, François Jean Bernard Debeaux (1901–1984) was an electrical engineer who taught industrial design at both the Ecole des Beaux-arts and the Lycée Pierre-de-Fermat in Toulouse. The Debeaux family lived in Toulouse and had a second home in Saint-Denis-les-Martel in the Lot.{{Cite journal |last=Saint-Pierre |first=Raphaëlle |date=2019-03-06 |title=LES GÉOMÉTRIES VIRTUOSES D'UN MODERNE |url=https://www.amc-archi.com/article/les-geometries-virtuoses-d-un-moderne.63133 |journal=AMC |language=fr}}
He attended the Lycée Pierre-de-Fermat in Toulouse from 1935–1943 and graduated with a baccalaureate in mathematics, followed by a baccalaureate in philosophy under the tutelage of Jean-Pierre Vernant. He remained a fervent admirer of Vernant's Hellenism throughout his life, and was also influenced by Vernant's involvement in the Resistance.{{cn|date=July 2023}}
Debeaux obtained a degree in architecture from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in June 1950 with a project for an agricultural tool forge. He was awarded the prize for the best national diploma and became a registered architect in 1950.{{Cite journal |last= |date=2023-01-31 |title=Sauver le chef-d'œuvre de Pierre Debeaux |url=https://www.amc-archi.com/photos/sauver-le-chef-d-uvre-de-pierre-debeaux,88079/la-caserne-des-pompiers-jacque.1 |journal=AMC |language=fr}}{{Cite web |title=Pierre Debeaux, dans l'ombre de Le Corbusier |url=https://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2003/05/20/188512-pierre-debeaux-dans-l-ombre-de-le-corbusier.html |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=ladepeche.fr |language=fr}}
During the 1960s and 1970s, he embarked on several major research trips to discover different cultures and heritages: Siberia and China (1966); Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Brazil and Bolivia (1967 and 1971); India, Nepal and Kashmir (1968); Mexico (1969); Siberia and Japan (1970); Indonesia and Sri Lanka (1972); and Turkey (1974). These journeys added an Orientalist influence to Debeaux's work.{{Cite book |last=Gruet |first=Stéphane |title=Pierre Debeaux, architecte: L'artiste et le géomètre (1925–2001) |publisher=Éditions POÏESIS |year=2005 |isbn=978-2951895317 |pages=104}}
Work and career
From 1954 to 1972, Debeaux was part of the "Atelier des Architectes Associés", which he co-founded. He devoted much of his time to research into harmonic relationships and three-dimensional structures. Between 1966 and 1989, he filed a series of patents in France, Europe and the United States for three-dimensional structures.
He is known for buildings such as the observatory of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, built between 1951–1966 (Debeaux was only 26 when he began the project); the Jacques Vion fire station (1966–1972) and the Monument à la Gloire de la Résistance (1965–1971) in Toulouse, and the landmarked Pradier house (1974–1978) in the Tarn.{{Cite web |title=Caserne des pompiers Jacques Vion - Debeaux - Toulouse |url=https://www.docomomo.fr/batiment/caserne-de-pompiers-jacques-vion |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=Docomomo (France)}}{{Cite web |title=PSS / Mémorial de la Résistance (Toulouse, France) |url=http://www.pss-archi.eu/immeubles/FR-31555-21001.html |access-date=2023-07-08 |website=www.pss-archi.eu}}{{Cite web |title=Maison dite " Maison Pradier ", due à l'architecte Pierre Debeaux |url=https://www.pop.culture.gouv.fr/notice/merimee/PA81000045?mainSearch=%22pierre%20debeaux%22&last_view=%22list%22&idQuery=%225721fb7-efaf-6a02-f60a-ec2012f8a40c%22 |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=www.pop.culture.gouv.fr}}{{Cite web |last=Gruet |first=Stéphane |title=ArchitectureWeek – Culture – Fire Station in Toulouse – 2005.0921 |url=http://www.architectureweek.com/2005/0921/culture_1-1.html |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=www.architectureweek.com}} Charlotte Perriand was commissioned to design unique furniture pieces for the Pradier house. These pieces were sold at Sotheby's in 2020.{{Cite web |last=Akkam |first=Alia |date=2020-12-03 |title=A Major New Auction of Charlotte Perriand Works Is Set to Take Place in Paris This Month |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/a-major-new-auction-of-charlotte-perriand-works-is-set-to-take-place-in-paris-this-month |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=Architectural Digest |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Evans |first=Christina Ohly |date=2020-10-21 |title=How to pick up a rare piece of Charlotte Perriand furniture |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/5d3bbedc-612c-446f-a090-db4d5cf62cc3 |access-date=2023-07-13}}
In 1958 Debeaux became a professor at the Ecole des Beaux-arts in Toulouse.
In 1973 he was awarded the Charles-Henri Besnard prize for the innovative metal roof structure design of the Jacques Vion fire station.{{Cite web |title=Prix Charles-Henri Besnard délivré à Pierre Debeaux pour ses travaux sur un type nouveau de charpentes tridirectionnelles : correspondances, mémoire. |url=https://archives.haute-garonne.fr/ark:/44805/vta6d7c460e3f4a93dc |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=Archives départementales de la Haute-Garonne |language=fr-fr}}
In 1981, he won the Académie d'Architecture's "Beau Béton" competition for the Pradier house.{{Cite web |last=Vanacker |first=Céline |date=May 2014 |title=La maison Pradier, Lavaur, Etude d'inventaire |url=https://www.ville-lavaur.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/maison_pradier_2018.pdf |access-date=July 12, 2023 |website=www.ville-lavaur.fr}}
Debeaux made artistic and scientific contributions to the Musée des Augustins in Toulouse between 1965 and 1992.{{Cite book |last=Gruet |first=Stéphane |title=Pierre Debeaux, architecte (1925–2001): L'artiste et le géomètre |publisher=Éditions POÏESIS |year=2005 |isbn=978-2951895317 |pages=101–102 |trans-title=The Artist and the Geometer}}
Personal life
Pierre Debeaux and his partner Elisabeth Cardo had one daughter, Charlotte, born in Toulouse in 1985.{{cn|date=July 2023}}
Death and legacy
File:Villa Chanfreau, 41 rue du Docteur-Jean-Arlaud (Toulouse).jpg
Debeaux suffered a stroke in November 1997. He died in Toulouse in January 2001.
Debeaux's Pradier house and Monument to the Glory of the Resistance are protected French national landmarks. An initiative was begun in 2023 to add the Jacques Vion fire station to the French register of protected monuments resulting in the building being granted protected status.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-02-01 |title=Toulouse: a petition for the Vion fire station, testimony to the 1960s, to become a historic monument |url=https://newsinfrance.com/toulouse-a-petition-for-the-vion-fire-station-testimony-to-the-1960s-to-become-a-historic-monument/ |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=newsinfrance.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Caserne Jacques Vion de Toulouse : Lettre ouverte à Madame la Ministre de la Culture – Sites & Monuments |url=https://www.sitesetmonuments.org/Caserne-Jacques-Vion-de-Toulouse-Lettre-ouverte-a-madame-la-ministre-de-la-Culture |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=www.sitesetmonuments.org}}{{Cite web |title=Toulouse : la caserne de pompiers Jacques-Vion, chef-d'œuvre de Pierre Debeaux, doit être sauvée |url=https://www.liberation.fr/culture/toulouse-la-caserne-de-pompiers-jacques-vion-chef-doeuvre-de-pierre-debeaux-doit-etre-sauvee-20230123_AYHFXWMGCVB2DMNHIUJNEIZRGU/ |access-date=2023-07-08 |website=Libération |language=fr}}
Partial list of works
- 1956 Citroën building (with Atelier des Architectes Associés){{Cite web |title=Label 'Outstanding contemporary architecture' |url=https://www.culture.gouv.fr/en/Aids-Procedures/Protections-labels-and-names/Label-Outstanding-contemporary-architecture |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=www.culture.gouv.fr |language=en-GB}}{{efn|group=|Architecture Contemporaine Remarquable (Label ACR) [Outstanding Contemporary Architecture]|name=en1}}
- 1956 Extension of groupe scolaire Jules Julien (with Roger Brunerie){{efn|group=|Architecture Contemporaine Remarquable (Label ACR) [Outstanding Contemporary Architecture]|name=en1}}
- 1956 Groupe scolaire Molière, Saint Cyprien, Toulouse (with Roger Brunerie){{efn|group=|Architecture Contemporaine Remarquable (Label ACR) [Outstanding Contemporary Architecture]|name=en1}}
- 1956 Primary school, Jolimont, Toulouse (with Roger Brunerie){{Cite web |title=Architecture du XXe siècle en Midi Toulousain |trans-title=20th c. Architecture in Midi-Toulouse |url=https://www.culture.gouv.fr/Regions/Drac-Occitanie/Actualites/Actualite-a-la-une/Architecture-du-XXe-siecle-en-Midi-toulousain |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=www.culture.gouv.fr |date=22 November 2016 |language=fr-FR}}{{efn|group=|Bâtiments du XXe en Midi toulousain (Bâtiments remarquables listés dans l’inventaire de la DRAC ) [20th c. Architecture in Midi-Toulouse]|name=en2}}
- 1956 Primary school, Sept Deniers, Toulouse (with Roger Brunerie){{efn|group=|Bâtiments du XXe en Midi toulousain (Bâtiments remarquables listés dans l’inventaire de la DRAC ) [20th c. Architecture in Midi-Toulouse]|name=en2}}
- 1957 Fabre kindergarten, Toulouse{{efn|group=|Bâtiments du XXe en Midi toulousain (Bâtiments remarquables listés dans l’inventaire de la DRAC ) [20th c. Architecture in Midi-Toulouse]|name=en2}}
- 1959 Martin house, Engomer{{efn|group=|Bâtiments du XXe en Midi toulousain (Bâtiments remarquables listés dans l’inventaire de la DRAC ) [20th c. Architecture in Midi-Toulouse]|name=en2}}
- 1961 Martin house, Castelnaudary{{efn|group=|Bâtiments du XXe en Midi toulousain (Bâtiments remarquables listés dans l’inventaire de la DRAC ) [20th c. Architecture in Midi-Toulouse]|name=en2}}
- 1961 Recherche Institute, Bagnère de Bigorre{{efn|group=|Architecture Contemporaine Remarquable (Label ACR) [Outstanding Contemporary Architecture]|name=en1}}
- 1963 Water tower, route d'Espagne{{efn|group=|Architecture Contemporaine Remarquable (Label ACR) [Outstanding Contemporary Architecture]|name=en1}}
- 1969 Villa Chanfreau, Cote Pavée, Toulouse{{Cite web |title=Villa Chanfreau |url=https://www.pop.culture.gouv.fr/notice/merimee/EA31000015 |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=www.pop.culture.gouv.fr}}{{efn|group=|Architecture Contemporaine Remarquable (Label ACR) [Outstanding Contemporary Architecture]|name=en1}}
- 1971 Monument to the Glory of the Resistance, Toulouse (with Atelier des Architectes Associés){{Cite web |title=The historical monuments |url=https://www.culture.gouv.fr/en/Thematic/Monuments-Sites/Historical-monuments-heritage-sites/The-historical-monuments |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=www.culture.gouv.fr |language=en-GB}}{{efn|group=|Protégée au titre des Monument Historiques (MH) [Protected Historic Monument]|name=en3}}
- 1975 Observatory, Pic du Midi de Bigorre{{efn|group=|Architecture Contemporaine Remarquable (Label ACR) [Outstanding Contemporary Architecture]|name=en1}}
- 1967 Jacques Vion fire station, Toulouse{{Cite web |date=2023-09-15 |title=Toulouse : la caserne Vion inscrite au titre des monuments historiques |url=https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/occitanie/haute-garonne/toulouse/toulouse-la-caserne-vion-inscrite-au-titre-des-monuments-historiques-2840306.html |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=France 3 Occitanie |language=fr-FR}}{{efn|group=|Architecture Contemporaine Remarquable (Label ACR) [Outstanding Contemporary Architecture]|name=en1}}{{efn|group=|Bâtiments du XXe en Midi toulousain (Bâtiments remarquables listés dans l’inventaire de la DRAC ) [20th c. Architecture in Midi-Toulouse]|name=en2}}{{efn|group=|Protégée au titre des Monument Historiques (MH) [Protected Historic Monument]|name=en3}}
- 1969 Vessières apartment building, Toulouse{{efn|group=|Bâtiments du XXe en Midi toulousain (Bâtiments remarquables listés dans l’inventaire de la DRAC ) [20th c. Architecture in Midi-Toulouse]|name=en2}}
- 1970 Pham Huu Chan house, Clermont-le-Fort{{efn|group=|Bâtiments du XXe en Midi toulousain (Bâtiments remarquables listés dans l’inventaire de la DRAC ) [20th c. Architecture in Midi-Toulouse]|name=en2}}
- 1977 Pradier house, Lavaur{{efn|group=|Protégée au titre des Monument Historiques (MH) [Protected Historic Monument]|name=en3}}
Gallery
File:Pic du Midi de Bigorre Observatory.jpg|Pic du Midi de Bigorre observatory
File:Chateau d'eau de l'hopital Marchant Pierre Debeaux architecte 1963.jpg|Water tower (Chateau d'eau) of the Marchant Hospital
File:Musée des Augustins Toulouse 1980.jpg|Musée des Augustins
File:Jacques Vion fire station, Pierre Debeaux architect, principal façade.jpg|Jacques Vion fire station, principal façade (grande halle)
File:Caserne Vion Toulouse Pierre Debeaux architecte grande halle.jpg|Jacques Vion fire station, (grande halle)
File:Caserne Vion Toulouse Pierre Debeaux architecte détail de la halle.jpg|Jacques Vion fire station, structural details (grande halle)
File:Jacques Vion fire station, Pierre Debeaux architect, gymnasium.jpg|Jacques Vion fire station, gymnasium
File:Jacques Vion firestation, Pierre Debeaux architect, balcony detail.jpg|Jacques Vion firestation, balcony detail
Publications
- {{Cite book |title=Pierre Debeaux, architecte (1955–2001): L'artiste et le géomètre |author=Gruet |year=2005 |isbn=978-2951895317 |first=Stéphane |url=http://www.faire-ville.fr/éditions-poiesis/titres/pierre-debeaux/ |pages=104 |publisher=Poïésis-AERA |editor=Éditions POÏESIS}}{{Cite web |title=Pierre Debeaux architecte (1925-2001) : l'artiste et le géomètre = the artist and the geometer. |url=https://primo.getty.edu/primo-explore/fulldisplay?vid=GRI&docid=GETTY_ALMA21125808720001551&context=L&search_scope=default_scope |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=primo.getty.edu |language=en}}
- {{Cite book |title=Du moderne au brutalisme, 13 villas à l'épreuve du temps |author=Marfaing |year=2013 |isbn=978-2-8107-0268-8 |first1=Jean-Loup |last2=Papillault |first2=Rémi |url=https://openlibrary.org/works/OL32790228W/Du_moderne_au_brutalisme |pages=167 |publisher=Presses universitaires du Mirail |editor=Presses Universitaires du Mirail}}
- {{Cite book |title=Villas 60-70 en France |author=Saint-Pierre |year=2013 |isbn=978-2-9155-4242-4 |first=Raphaëlle |url=https://www.editions-norma.com/products/villas-60-70-en-france |pages=320 |publisher=Norma Éd. |editor=Norma, Renne}}
References
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Notes
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External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.ina.fr/ina-eclaire-actu/video/rbf99002762/pierre-debeaux-architecte Pierre DEBEAUX architecte], brief documentary film, 1973 (in French)
- [https://www.docomomo.fr/sites/default/files/fiches-batiments/Docomomo_Caserne_Vion_Toulouse_2023_0.pdf Caserne de pompiers Jacques Vion], detailed documentation stored on DoCoMoMo (Fiche inventaire, in French)
- [https://www.ville-lavaur.fr/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/maison_pradier.pdf La maison Pradier de l’architecte Pierre Debeaux] Ville de LAVAUR, Service Urbanisme (in French)
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Debeaux, Pierre}}
Category:20th-century French architects
Category:Architectural theoreticians
Category:Modernist architects from France