The Great Arch

The year is 1983. An architectural competition is announced for a new landmark in Paris, which is to become a symbol of its modern district, La Défense. The competition attracts entries from the largest international architectural firms, but surprisingly, it is won by an unknown architecture teacher, Johan Otto von Spreckelsen, with his project La Grande Arche. Until then, the 50-year-old Dane had only built four buildings: his home and three small chapels. He had devoted his life primarily to teaching and searching for a balance between space, light, and the human soul.