Simone Guillissen-Hoa : Architecte 1916-1996

Part illustrated biography, part architectural book, this marvelous little opuscule introduces us to an exceptional woman who was also a fine architect. Clearly, she didn’t deserve to disappear from the amateur’s memory, even if the circumstances of her life often relegated her to a second-rate role, or that of a minor master.

Caroline Mierop’s skilful, empathetic writing plunges us back into a time, perhaps not so different from today, when being a woman architect could sometimes be an advantage, but much more often, alas, even in the progressive milieu in which she evolved, very quickly ran up against the blurred but strict limits of what the patriarchal context allowed.

Simone Guillissen-Hoa’s projects are often extremely modern, and can serve not only as examples for those interested in the history of the second half of the twentieth century, but also as relays or first steps for today’s architecture.

The book is punctuated by short testimonials, sometimes funny and always moving, written by Simone’s son, renowned architect, critic and collector Jean-Pierre Hoa.