Stany Cambot is a filmmaker, architect, visual artist, and set designer who studied at theEnsa Normandie. In 2019, he directed the documentary – Blouma —and is now releasing— The Apocalypse Has Already Begun.

In his latest short film, Stany Cambot explores Russia and, more specifically, the phenomenon of Moscow’s “garajniki,” which he discovered in 2013. These were originally garages whose purpose was hijacked following the fall of the USSR. These are makeshift spaces where a parallel economy has flourished, with the unauthorized establishment of sewing workshops, carpentry shops, restaurants, pig farms, and more. The director observes this clandestine, alternative city characterized by mutual aid, social interactions, and a way of life preserved from the Soviet era.

You can watch the documentary on ArchiRès by signing up for the Tënk platform .

And for those who would like to see it on the big screen, the film will also be shown at the Omnia République Theater in Rouen on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

The reference section boasts some 60 subscriptions to journals covering architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture, heritage, and materials. As the new academic year begins, we’d like to give you an overview of the latest issues that have been published.

🇪🇸 Arquitectura Viva – No. 286 (2026)

Presentation and analysis of projects by the elii firm (a Madrid-based studio founded by Carlos Palacios Rodríguez, Eva Gil Lopesino, and Uriel Fogué Herreros).

🇪🇸 El Croquis – No. 235 (2026)

An overview of the Majorcan firm Aulets and its projects completed between 2003 and 2026—Building with the Territory. The table of contents is organized into three sections: Earth, Stone, Wood.

🇪🇸 AV Proyectos – No. 135 (2026)

Title:  "Glass Skins (=Contemporary Glass – New Possibilities for Glass).

A presentation of 7 projects (Max Núñez, MVRDV, Snøhetta, etc.) in which blocks, slats, and undulating panels transform light and create complex atmospheres.

🇪🇸 AV Monografías – No. 285–286

Title: “ Vivienda nueva ” ( =New Housing).

A look at 20 Spanish multi-family housing projects that showcase innovative, sustainable, and socially responsible solutions.

🇺🇸 Architectural Record – No. 8 (August 2026)

Title: " Presidential Libraries" 

An Analysis of Two New Presidential Libraries (Chicago and North Dakota)

Other topics: School projects tailored to the needs of students with cognitive or medical challenges (e.g., a public school in Boston designed by Perkins&Will).

🇬🇧 The Architectural Review – No. 1533 (July/August 2026)

Title: "Industry" . 

Feature: The Impact of AI on Industrial Landscapes.

🇩🇪 DETAIL – No. 7/8 (July/August 2026)

Title: “Massivbau / Solid Construction ” 

Presentation of several international projects in Belgium, Spain, etc., illustrated with photographs and detailed plans on a 1:20 scale.

🇫🇷 Exé – No. 65 (2026)

Title: “Sports Facilities” – 4 projects presented

🇫🇷 D’architectures – No. 337 (2026)

An interview with Minister of Culture Catherine Pégard, a spotlight on the Zakarian-Navelet firm, and a feature on the exhibition “41 Fragments for Living: The Voices of Young Architects.”

🇫🇷 Urban Features – No. 160 (July/August 2026)

Title: “ Urban Planning with AI ” 

AI for Urban Planning: Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Urban Planning, with Case Studies and Expert Interviews.

Check out the highlights on the Instagram account poledocensa76

The Documentary Center will be closed from June 29 to September 4, 2026.

Reopening on September 7, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.

In *A Journey Through My Library*, Luca Merlini, an architect and professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, invites us on a poetic and personal exploration of his own library. This book is not merely a catalog of books, but a meditation on how books shape our lives, our thoughts, and even our spaces.

Through short, evocative stories, Merlini shares his encounters with authors, ideas, and emotions. He discusses classics of architecture and philosophy, as well as lesser-known works that have shaped his intellectual and professional journey.

💡 Why does this book resonate with us?

• A dialogue between architecture and literature: Merlini connects the physical space of books with the mental space they open up. His library becomes a model of his mind, a place where every book has its place and its story.
• It is also a reflection on transmission and intellectual heritage. How the books we read, give as gifts, or keep build bridges.
• Merlini encourages us to be curious and urges us to wander the aisles, letting chance guide our reading choices.

“A library is a living entity. It breathes, it grows, it evolves alongside us. It reflects our questions, our passions, but also our silences.”

Click HERE to learn more

And you, which book from your bookshelf deserves a "journey"?

The end of the year is approaching, and with it comes the summer loan period. What can I borrow? Books, magazines, and DVDs.

How many? The rule remains the same— 4 books + 2 magazines + 2 DVDs.

📅 Due by September 7, 2026 – plenty of time to make the most of your resources without rushing.

🕘 Please note: Starting June 15, the Documentary Center will switch to summer hours:

Monday: 2:00 PM–5:00 PM; Tuesday through Friday: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM / 2:00 PM–5:00 PM

Arte.tv regularly posts new documentaries online. We’ve put together a selection of architecture-related titles for you.

Visual © All rights reserved

The pitch:

Maud Dugrand’s book by Maud Dugrand is a story that chronicles the democratic and participatory journey of a small village in the Drôme region. In 2014, a citizen-led slate was elected. During its term, residents were actively involved in municipal operations. The author, a journalist and native of the village, traces the journey of this collective from its inception to the end of its term in 2020.

Why this book? 

The novel format is ideal for a light read that nonetheless explores a pressing democratic issue. Regardless of our status, we are all affected by local politics. It is the kind of politics that most directly impacts our daily lives.

Doc's Review 

If you’re interested in collaborative urban planning or simply in stories of citizen resistance, this book is for you. And who knows? Maybe it will inspire you to launch a participatory project in your own city…

You can find this book in the reference section among our top picks!

Click HERE to learn more

The magazine *Habitante*, which has long sought to explore the diversity of ways of thinking and shaping the world, is ceasing publication after several years of service.

To mark this milestone, the publisher is offering an exceptional 60% discount on the remaining issues. This is a unique opportunity to acquire an archive rich in insights and inspiration, or to discover (or rediscover) this magazine at an unbeatable price.

Where can I find the issues?
Visit audimat-edition.fr to view the offer using the code ENSA and place your order before supplies run out.

From June 28, 2025, to January 5, 2026, the Rouen Museum of Fine Arts hosted a retrospective dedicated to Maxime Old, a leading figure in 20th-century interior architecture. To mark the occasion, the museum launched “The Maxime Old Laboratory, ” a unique initiative developed in collaboration with third-year students from theENSA Normandie, as part of the “Situation” workshop .

Under the guidance of three instructors— Dominique Lefrancois, Sophie Cambrillat, and Kacha Legrand —the students took on an exciting challenge: reimagining Maxime Old’s furniture. Their work resulted in original designs that blend historical accuracy with contemporary boldness.

Don’t miss it: these unique pieces are now on display at theENSA Normandie Documentary Center. It’s a wonderful opportunity to discover how interior architecture interacts with student creativity, drawing inspiration from the legacy of Maxime Old.