[caption id="attachment_2030" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="© Julien Lanoo"][/caption] Pritzker prize winning Architect Jean Nouvel signed off on the Sofitel Vienna in December last year. From the street, sheer walls finished in glass and steel - some at atypical angles, trade surprisingly well within the subdued hues of historic Vienna.  Ultimately though, these elements belie the moments of riotous colour and haphazard geometry that jump out sporadically from internal balconies, feature ceilings and wall detailing.  The panoramic double height top floor restaurant offers sweeping views across Vienna, the canopy of colour overhead imbuing a sense warmth even when the city beyond the huge panes of glass is dusted in winter snowfall.   Rafa Garcia's luxurious Artica Armchairs for Sancal were selected by Nouvel for the same reason. Their crisp, formal lines reflect the language of the external architecture all the while providing superior comfort and warmth for the user. [caption id="attachment_2037" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="© Julien Lanoo"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_2038" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="© Julien Lanoo"][/caption] The prolific Frenchman has been turning his hand to International projects further and further afield with Australia soon to get it's own taste of the  Ateliers Jean Nouvel at Central Park, Sydney.  Having designed One Central Park for Fraser Property Group, the Frenchman's dramatic foliage-clad residential tower with cantilevered mirror elements and Babylonic gardens will play neighbour to Frank Gehry's forthcoming  "Wrinkly" Business Faculty for the University of Technology, Sydney.