1969
Creation of the office
In 1969, Jean-Marie Charpentier created an architecture office and gave it the name of Arte (Architecture, Research Technique and Urban Spaces - Espaces urbains). From its beginnings, the agency carried out a number of projects in the fields of industry and research, in France and abroad (Great Britain, Germany, Spain, Brazil, etc).
1973
Dreams of new cities and housing complexes
In 1973, Arte Charpentier won the competition for the layout of the Val Maubuee neighbourhood in Marne-la-Vallee. The project did not come to fruition, but for the office, it prefigured a period of housing projects in new cities in the 1980s (Ru de Nestle neighbourhood in Marne-la-Vallee, Luzard neighbourhood in Champs-sur-Marne, etc). Social housing became a field for original reflections, a real laboratory for research, innovation and experimentation.
1982
New industrial concepts and first office projects
Thoughout the 1980s, Arte Chapentier carried out its first Urban Industrial Hotels and Business Villas, new concepts in industrial real estate. From 1986, having developed a real expertise in terms of housing, laboratories, and activities (ZAC Paris-Nord II), the agency began to invest in the tertiary sector and in office projects (Creeks headquarters, JVC, Apple, regional direction of AXA (Grand Axe at Cergy Pontoise (1990), Le Dome at Roissypole (1991), EMGP Parc du Millenaire, at the Porte d’Aubervilliers, Euroatrium (2000) in Saint-Ouen, Athos Seine Rive gauche (2000)…
1984
The beginning of the Chinese adventure
Arte Charpentier took part in the first cooperation and expertise missions in China, carried out by the Institut Français d'Architecture, for the diversification of housing and urban rehabilitation in Shanghai, specifically for the competition for the Qianjiatang neighbourhood, Huaihai Street.
1989
Setting up in Cambodia
Jean-Marie Charpentier had maintained close friendships from his time in Cambodia as a teacher at the Architecture department of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Phnom Penh in the 1960s. Several of his former students took part in the development of the agency. From the late 1980s, Arte Charpentier assisted the Cambodian government and UNESCO to have the Angkor site listed as an historical monument. In 1994, Arte Charpentier won the consultation for the Urban planning of Siem-Reap - Angkor and opened an agency in Cambodia. This branch carried out several projects, including the renovation of the Central Market in Phnom-Penh in 2011, an emblematic and bioclimatic building from 1935. Jean-Marie Charpentier and Pierre Clément led and presided over the Association des Amis d’Angkor.
1991
Saint-Lazare: a new metro station in Paris
In 1991, Arte Charpentier was chosen to build the new Saint-Lazare metro station on the Meteor line. This important exchange terminal, which is deeply buried into the ground, is characterised by the "glass lens" that serves as an access. It was completed in 2003. Arte Charpentier carried out other major transport projects: the passenger terminal for Eurotunnel (1992), the extension of the Nancy railway station for the arrival of the TGV (2008).
The building of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Roissy, with Helmut Jahn, paved the way for a series of collaborations with leading international agencies; SOM, KPF, Morphosis, Foster, BIG…
1994
The Shanghai Opera House and major Chinese projects
In 1994, Arte Charpentier won the international competition for the Shanghai Opera House, which was completed in 1998. This success marked an important stage in the agency's Chinese adventure. After the Opera House, Arte Charpentier carried out a number of other major projects in China: the Grand Shanxi Theatre, the headquarters of General Motors in Shanghai, the Ala'er Museum in Xingqiang, the Visa Centre for the administrative offices in Shanghai, the Xinzhou cultural centre and opera house, also in Shanxi.
1998
The "Century Avenue" in Pudong and the Eco-neighbourhood of Wanli in Puxi (Shanghai)
For the turn of the century and the millennium, the Municipality of Shanghai launched several international competitions. Arte Charpentier designed the Century Avenue in Shanghai, the "Champs Elysees" of Pudong, 100m wide and 5.5km long, with the Central Plaza at one end. It was the first modern public space in a Chinese metropolis. At the same time, the agency was chosen for the pedestrianisation of Nanking Street. Arte Charpentier also won the competition for the implementation of new ecological neighbourhoods, developing a concept of collective housing with courtyard-gardens and urban parks for 100,000 people over 160 hectares. The project was completed very quickly and was awarded the Grand Prix de l’Urbanisme. It paved the way for many future urban projects: the new city of Nanhui, the Gaoqiao competition, a competition for a city of 2 million inhabitants in Zhengzhou. In 2002, the Chinese subsidiary was created in Shanghai, under the direction of Zhou Wenyi and Pierre Chambron.
At the same time, the Meridien Hotel was completed in Noumea, in New Caledonia.
2000
Creation of the European Architects' Network
Since 2000, Arte Charpentier has been a founding member of the European Architects' Network (EAN), a network of agencies working together to provide customers with the same quality of response across Europe.
2001
The beginning of the Lyon adventure
Having won the competition for the second tower in Lyon (now renamed the Oxygen tower), Arte Charpentier developed its expertise in the field of High Rise Buildings, in France, at La Défense, with several competitions, at the Pont d'Issy, and at the Shanghai Tour Luis on the Century Avenue... The office became established in Lyon with the Carre de soie (completed in 2008), the Veolia Environnement training center in Jonage (2012), the Silex² Tower (2021).
2004
The office develops its interior design department
It will sign the DCNS Naval Construction Division's facilities in the Lopez Tower in 2009, the Dassault Systèmes Campus in 2009–2017, the Oxygène Tower in 2010, the new Areva headquarters in 2013, the Eole building at the heart of Crédit Agricole's Evergreen campus in 2015, Shift, Nestlé's headquarters in 2019, the Chanel and BPRI headquarters in 2021, and the ECLA co-living residence in Palaiseau in 2023. ..
2005
Major renovations and headquarters
Arte Charpentier completed or studied several major renovation operations in Paris (Ilot Lafayette, Antin-Haussmann, Imprimerie nationale, Tour Lopez - CAF) and the Fashion Pole in Shanghai, and built headquarters for large companies (Aviva, Axa Grand Axe-La Defense Nanterre, Areva…). The office is currently building the headquarters of Dassault Systems in Velizy, now in its third phase, and the research centers of L'Oreal and Saint-Gobain in Shanghai. At the same time, the office continues to develop in the France (Lyon, Cherbourg, Nancy, etc.) and internationally (Algeria, Morocco, the Middle East, Spain).
2007
Development in Africa
A major project over 80km long, relocating the industrial port, reconciling the city and the sea, combining the renovation and development of major infrastructures and extension districts. Accompanied by emblematic architectural projects: Terrasses du Port, Place des Martyrs, new "affordable housing" districts. This project inaugurated Arte Charpentier's development in Africa: Park Mall Complex in Setif (2008 – 2017), Vision 2040 for Grand Conakry (Guinea 2016), and development in Benin.
2008
Construction Management
Arte Charpentier specializes in construction management to support, manage, and ensure the successful completion of construction projects. Its first project was the Dassault Systèmes campus in Meudon, delivered in 2008, quickly followed by the Carré de Soie shopping center in 2008, the La Buire housing complex in 2009, and the Oxygène tower in Lyon. Then came a series of projects ranging from office buildings in La Garenne Colombes in 2014, the Chinese Embassy in Paris in 2016, the Tony Parker Academy in Lyon in 2019, and the Research & Innovation Center in Saclay in 2023.
2009
Positive Energy Towers
The experimental and innovative Elithis Tower project, a positive energy office tower, foreshadows the Arsenal Tower project, a positive energy residential building due for completion in 2023.
2010
Death of Jean-Marie Charpentier, the founder of the agency
A public tribute was paid to him in the Gaveau room on March 28th, 2011, by Jean-Louis Raffarin, Gerard Collomb, Jean-Pierre Duport… during an architecture debate, followed by a concert. Many messages of sympathy were addressed to Arte Charpentier from around the world, and from China in particular.
The long-term associates Pierre Clement, Andrew Hobson, Jerome Le Gall, Abbes Tahir, Stephanie Siac and Antonio Frausto picked up the torch.
That same year, the office was confirmed in its success in the competition for the creation of Eole, the head office of CACIB, which brings together the activities of the Credit Agricole Bank on its Evergreen Campus in Montrouge, and by the choice of the Chinese Embassy which retained the agency to take care of the interior design for its Chancellery in an eighteenth-century mansion.
2011
Creation of Arte Charpentier Territories
The agency becomes a public limited company and the number of associate architects increases to 22.
The Territories division is created, bringing together the agency's urban planning and landscape design expertise within a single team.
2012
The beginning of the Wuhan adventure
This iconic building, the agency's first major public facility in Wuhan, embodies an unprecedented ecological ambition for the city. It also marks a milestone for Arte Charpentier, which established itself in the city in 2023. Present in the region for several years, the agency is developing major urban projects there, such as the Wuchang CBD and the Franco-Chinese eco-city of Caidian and its peninsula.
2015
Arte Charpentier restores its heritage
Arte Charpentier is committed to regenerating its own heritage by renovating iconic projects to adapt them to new uses and sustainability challenges, such as the Bry-sur-Marne film studios, the Palatin office complexes in La Défense, Massena and Sequana in Paris, and Shift, the headquarters of Nestlé France in Issy-les-Moulineaux.
2016
The agency structures R&D
Since 2016, the agency has established an R&D department that initiates and develops internal research activities. A standing committee composed of members of management and several researchers ensures its smooth operation. The agency employs researchers and doctoral students.
2018
The beginning of the Beninese adventure
Construction, modernisation and extension of a network of 35 markets in Benin, 29 of which have been entrusted to the agency. The project aims to provide 11 municipalities in Benin with modern and functional market facilities. This first project in the country led to studies for the FASEG and IPO universities, the construction of the GMK commercial centre, the renovation of the national stadium and the redevelopment of its surroundings and park.
It was in this dynamic context that the agency created its Beninese subsidiary in Cotonou in 2025, under the joint management of Jérome Le Gall and Nahla Jajo-Legrand.
2019
50 years!
Celebration of the 50th anniversary of Arte Charpentier in the Shift building in Issy-les-Moulineaux, designed by the agency in 1992 (renovation and extension), which would become the headquarters of Nestle France.
2021
The Board of Directors expands
The Board of Directors welcomes 3 new directors: Marie-France Bouet, Nathalie Leroy and Raquel Milagres, and this rejuvenation gently prepares the succession and sustainability of the office; Stephanie Siac and Antonio Frausto join Andrew Hobson, Jerome Legall and Abbes Tahir as Managing Directors.
Despite the health crisis, construction sites have resumed and projects are being completed one after the other: the Ecole Ducasse-Paris Campus in Meudon, two Hilton Hotels at Porte de France in Tours, Courcelles in Paris, the 185 in Neuilly, Silex 2 in Lyon… and other projects are on target in Douains, for the ZAC Normandie Parc, near Vernon, for the Village de marques de McArthurGlen, Boulevard Branly for the Banques Populaires Group, in Velizy for the 3rd phase of the Dassault Systems Campus, and in Cotonou, Abomey, Porto Novo, Parakou for the markets of Benin.
2022
Hospital projects
The Arte Charpentier and TLR consortium has been selected to renovate the Franco-British Hospital in Paris and the Hôpital de la Tour in Geneva, building on the expertise developed by Arte Charpentier during the construction of the Rennes Cancer Centre in 2015.
2023
The Danone Research & Innovation Centre – Low Carbon Building
The Danone Research & Innovation Centre is a symbol of innovation and resilience in the face of climate challenges, thanks in particular to the widespread use of wood and other materials with a very low environmental impact, the use of geothermal energy, solar panels and rainwater harvesting.
2024
The agency renews its governance and appoints ten new partners
Arte Charpentier announces a new governance structure to support its development and meet the challenges of tomorrow's territories.
Jérôme Le Gall has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, alongside Abbès Tahir, Stéphanie Siac and Raquel Milagrès, forming a close-knit management team united by a common ambition: to perpetuate the agency's spirit of innovation. Andrew Hobson succeeds Pierre Clément as Chairman.
The agency also welcomes 10 new partners, each bringing key expertise to strengthen its strategic areas:
- Nazim Belblidia: Sustainable design and innovation
- Camila Scalisi: Sustainable design and innovation – housing
- Godefroy Saint-Georges: Renovation and tertiary sector
- Patricia Giovannini: Public procurement
- Vivian Cloez: Housing division
- Stéphane Quigna: Interior architecture
- Michela Donato: Project management
- Sylvain Van Rechem: Regional development – France
- Mingding Pan: Regional development – Asia
- Nahla Jajo-Legrand: Regional development – Africa & Middle East
2025
Arte Charpentier is establishing itself as a key player in the debate on urban renewal.
The agency is engaged in research into the dynamics of change in commercial areas and the preservation of biodiversity.
Arte Charpentier is participating in the exhibition Nouvelles saisons: Autoportraits d’un territoire (New Seasons: Self-Portraits of a Territory) at the Arc en Rêve Architecture Centre in Bordeaux.
2026
The agency is renewing its governance to ensure the transition to a new generation.
The Board of Directors has structured its new governance around Abbès Tahir, appointed Chairman, while Jérôme
Le Gall continues his term as Chief Executive Officer, supported by three new Deputy Chief Executive Officers: Nahla Jajo-Legrand, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Africa and the Middle East, Sylvain Van Rechem, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for France, and Mingding Pan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Asia.
