03
Studio
Drawn slowly.
Built to last.
Zumen is an architecture practice of twenty-four people in Lyon and Kyoto. We work for cities, regions and institutions on buildings meant to stay useful for a century.
Founded in Lyon
2011
Buildings delivered
38
Bio-based materials, 2025 average
62 %
The Lyon studio, Quai Saint-Vincent. Every façade is tested as a 1:1 mock-up.
How we work
3.1
Few projects, partners on each
We run no more than eight projects at once. A founding partner follows each one from competition to handover.
3.2
Materials within 150 km
Timber, earth, stone and brick sourced close to site, with suppliers chosen before design freeze.
3.3
Back on site after one year
Twelve months after opening, we return to measure light, comfort and use, and publish what we learned.
Recognition
2026
Civic Light Award — Public building
Hikari Library
2025
Timber Futures Prize
Voiron Cultural Centre
2024
Alpine Building Award, shortlist
Rue Garibaldi Offices
2023
Station & Landscape Prize — Transport
Vallon Rail Pavilion
2022
Daylight in Architecture Prize
Musée de la Lumière
Partners
Hélène Marchand
Founding partner
Kenji Arai
Partner, Kyoto
Bastien Roux
Partner, Lyon
Team
Inès Dubreuil
Associate architect
Yui Nakamura
Architect
Thomas Girard
Project manager
Léa Fontaine
Architect
Samuel Okafor
Environmental engineer
Clara Vidal
Interior architect
Haruto Mori
Model maker
Margaux Perrin
Architect
Antoine Lebrun
BIM coordinator
Sofia Reyes
Landscape architect
Paul Mercier
Site architect
Aiko Tanaka
Studio manager