led to an evolution of methods, a practical result of theoretical research and analysis. This renewed vision of urban structure, which he named the "open block" in the 80s, can be seen today through projects such as the Quartier Masséna - Seine Rive Gauche (since 1995), an entire neighbourhood of Paris, and at La Lironde (since 1991), in the south of France, both of which illustrate his master-planning and coordination techniques. Christian de Portzamparc's buildings create environments wherein the interior and exterior spaces interpenetrate, working as catalysts in cityscape dynamics. This method of functioning came into play in major cultural programmes, often dedicated to dance and music. The most recent examples of which include a 1500-seat philharmonic hall, 300 seat chamber hall and 120 seat electro-acoustic hall in Luxembourg, completed in 2005, plus a unique 1800 seat concert hall that transforms into a 1300-seat opera house, which is under construction, amongst other music halls, as part of the project Cidade da Música in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The towers created by Christian de Portzamparc have, since the beginning, been a result of his studies of the vertical and sculptural dimension, concentrating on the prismatic form, the most recognised example of which is the LVMH Tower created in 1995 in New York, USA, for which Christian de Portzamparc received many accolades, soon to be accompanied by the residential tower at 400 Park avenue in Manhattan, whose construction commenced in 2010. In 1994, Christian de Portzamparc became the first French architect to gain the prestigious "Pritzker Architectural Prize", at the age of 50. In 1999, he created the twenty-three story LVMH Tower on East 57th Street in New York City and, later, the LVMH's corporate headquarters on Avenue Montaigne in Paris, France. In 2006, the Collège de France created a 53rd chair dedicated 'artistic creation', and called on Christian de Portzamparc to be its first occupant. Principal completed projects 1971-1974 Château d'eau, Marne la Vallée 1975-1979 Les Hautes-Formes housing project, Paris 1983-1987 Paris Opera Ballet School, Nanterre 1985-1987 Beaubourg Cafe, Paris 1988-1990 Musée Bourdelle, Paris 1989-1991 Nexus II, Fukuoka, Japan 1984-1995 The City of Music, Paris 1991-1995 Tour de Lille, Lille 1993-1999 Law courts, Courts of Justice, Grasse 1993-2006 Centre of science, library and museum "Les Champs Libres", Rennes 1994-1999 Extension of the Palais des Congrès Porte Maillot, Paris 1995-1999 LVMH Tower, New York 1997-2003 Embassy of France, Berlin 2001-2004 Headquarters for