as a problem. We look with positive eyes because there is an opportunity of doing more with what we already have." The citation of the Pritzker Prize jury lauds the architects' "restorative architecture" and describes their practice of beginning "every project with a process of discovery which includes intensely observing and finding value in what already exists... There is a humility in the approach that respects the aims of the original designers and the aspirations of the current occupants." The Pritzker Prize jury also notes that, via their humble approach to the practice of architecture, Lacaton and Vassal have reset the very idea of what it means to be an architect. Their role is not to produce extravagant objects or to make flamboyant architectural statements — rather, the architect observes, improves and serves the needs of individuals and the community in a cost effective and sustainable way. Major projects With the Latapie house (1993 in Floirac), Lacaton & Vassal applied greenhouse technologies to create a private winter garden that expanded the living space of a house at relatively low cost. The house is an example of their use of inexpensive building techniques from industry or agriculture. Indeed, greenhouses or winter gardens would become a recurring feature of their projects. Lacaton states: "From very early on, we studied the greenhouses of botanic gardens with their impressive fragile plants, the beautiful light and transparency, and ability to simply transform the outdoor climate. It's an atmosphere and a feeling, and we were interested in bringing that delicacy to architecture." Lacaton & Vassal has also been successful in both defending and improving the image of social housing with the Cité Manifeste in Mulhouse. The Cité Manifest was an ambitious project involving several well known architectural firms and marking the 150th anniversary of the construction of the Cité Muller, the first workers' housing estate in France. Lacaton & Vassal's objective for this project was to produce quality housing (they delivered 14 low income apartments) which, at equal cost, would be much larger than the apartments typically offered in social housing. An analysis conducted well after the 2005 delivery of the project shows that 10 of the 14 apartments had surface areas that were 50 per cent larger than was typical for low income houses with the same number of rooms. They also provided improved floor plans and amenities (large open-plan volumes, winter gardens, customizable facilities).