Arbre Blanc – Sou Fujimoto
In 2013, Montpellier launched the “Folie Richter” competition to envision a bold new architectural landmark for the city. The brief called for a beacon tower that would integrate housing, commercial spaces, and a strong relationship with its urban and natural context.
The winning team—Sou Fujimoto, Manal Rachdi, Nicolas Laisné, and Dimitri Roussel—merged their distinct design sensibilities into a singular vision: Arbre Blanc (White Tree). Inspired by nature, the tower rises as a vertical landscape, with cantilevered balconies branching out in all directions, offering panoramic views and blurring the boundary between indoor and outdoor living.
Combining Japanese minimalism with Mediterranean openness, Arbre Blanc stands as a new symbol for Montpellier—an experimental fusion of structure, nature, and urban life.
New York Times: In Montpellier, a Residential Tower Inspired by a Tree
