Jean Nouvel

Jean Nouvel is one of the most celebrated architects in the world who has designed landmark buildings in Britain, the United States and the Middle East as well as in France. But his design of the new Philharmonie de Paris concert hall has led to a very public dispute and legal action after the long-delayed project ran over budget by a startling 213 million euros. Nouvel, who boycotted the concert hall's inaugural concert in January, claims that the final design of the distinctive-looking building was distorted by the client. The client, the Philharmonie's management, has in turn pointed the finger at the celebrated architect's allegedly capricious behaviour. Priscille Lafitte, a reporter on cultural affairs for public radio station Radio France Internationale, reports on the background of this ongoing saga.