Snøhetta launches Le Monde HQ Sketchbooks

To celebrate the fifth anniversary of Le Monde's headquarters in Paris, Snøhetta has released the Le Monde HQ Sketchbooks, an artistic documentation of the building's construction by French artist Frédéric Chaume.

Between 2017 and 2020, Chaume visited the site over 250 times, capturing the evolution of the building through a series of hand-drawn sketches and engravings. His work offers a unique, artistic perspective on the construction process, highlighting moments rich in human activity and urban transformation.

The book features a curated selection of 232 artworks and was designed and published by Snøhetta to commemorate the building's milestone. It reflects the vision of investor and chairman of the board, Pierre Bergé, who emphasized the importance of preserving the project's cultural legacy beyond mere technical documentation.

Designed by Snøhetta in collaboration with SRA Architectes, the headquarters was completed in 2020 and currently houses 1,600 employees of the Le Monde Group. The building's arch-shaped structure, semi-transparent façade, and open public plaza embody a commitment to openness and civic engagement.

Chaume's artistic process unfolded in two phases: on-site sketching using black chalk, charcoal, and watercolor, followed by studio work involving copper engravings and detailed drawings. Final prints were produced in collaboration with Les Ateliers Moret, a renowned Parisian intaglio workshop.

The book is enriched by poems from Lamiya Shirvanzada, an introduction by Snøhetta co-founder Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, and essays by architect and historian Jean-Louis Cohen and Aedes Architecture Forum director Kristin Feireiss—offering deeper insight into the artistic and architectural significance of the project.

Le Monde HQ Sketchbooks stands as a testament to the power of art in preserving architectural heritage and invites readers to experience the poetic dialogue between space, time, and human endeavor.

The book is now on sale in Norway and Scandinavia and will be launched in France this autumn.