TIAFF 2025: Fernand Pouillon, France’s most wanted architect

How much power does an architect have to realise projects according to his ideas? During the post-war years, the French architect Fernand Pouillon was responsible for millions of square metres of public housing. As a humanistic architect he wanted to serve the public interest, but he realized that he needed to become a developer to have any real impact. With a hands-on mentality, he succeeded in realising affordable and good-quality housing built with simple construction methods. Competing developers came off second best. By wearing different hats (as architect and developer), he became embroiled in conflicts of interests that eventually landed him in prison. After serving his sentence and being expelled from the French Order des Architects, he relocated to Algeria to continue his work.

The film will be introduced by a lecture by Michiel van Loon. Michiel is an architect and, since 2022, partner at Mei architects and planners, where he has been working since 2012. Based in Rotterdam, Mei realizes projects both nationally and internationally. At the core of its work lies a deep respect for the environment. With expertise in adaptive reuse, new construction, and urban planning strategies, Mei creates designs that place the user at the center. Through innovative technical solutions and usage concepts, the projects contribute to social and ecological sustainability. Michiel will give a talk before the film Fernand Pouillon, France’s most wanted architect, after which he will join the debate at TAFF FRAMED.