Claude Parent (1923-2016) was a French architect and designer known for revolutionizing architecture with his theory of the "oblique function," developed with philosopher Paul Virilio in 1963. This approach advocates the use of inclined planes instead of traditional horizontal surfaces, thus encouraging an active interaction between the human body and space. Parent sought to rethink the relationship between humans and their built environment, emphasizing instability and imbalance to foster a new spatial awareness.

Born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, he shifted from mathematics to architecture after a brief stint with Le Corbusier. A rebel against academicism, he co-founded an agency in 1953 and became involved in avant-garde projects. He collaborated with artists such as Yves Klein and theorists like Nicolas Schöffer, contributing to visionary projects such as the "spatio-dynamic city."

Claude Parent was also the author of several books and contributed to influential journals such as *Architecture-Principe*. Among his notable works is the Sainte-Bernadette du Banlay Church in Nevers, which was classified as a historical monument in 2000. Although not widely known to the general public, he influenced several generations of architects, including Jean Nouvel, through his visionary approach. In 2005, he was elected to the Académie des Beaux-Arts.

Awards :

Grand prix national de l'architecture (1979)
Silver medal from the Académie d'Architecture
Medal from the Union des Arts Décoratifs
Gold medal from the Société d'Encouragement au Progrès (Society for the Encouragement of Progress)
Medal from the International Union of Architects

Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters (12 September 1996)5.
Commander of the Légion d'honneur (21 February 1990), promoted to Commander (13 July 2010)6.
Commander of the National Order of Merit
Officer of the Order of Academic Palms