ABOUT

Jean-Paul Bourdier is Professor of Architecture Emeritus at the University of California Berkeley. He wrote books on vernacular architecture in West Africa, produced nine films with Trinh Minh-ha, four photography books on the relation of humans with the landscape, one graphic novel and is now completing another graphic novel, 2 books on his land art and 2 other books of photography.

Since 1975, he has designed Lighter Than Air (LTA) dirigibles and inflatable structures. His latest “One World” project proposes a number of flying sculptures to resonate with the artistic dimensions of a multitude of sites and cities around the world. Indirectly, these projects also address issues of Unity of thought and action while facing the questions of our time related to our lives on Earth.

He was born and raised in France, taught in Italy and Senegal, and moved to the US where he has taught in several universities. He resides in California.