In an interview with The Good Life magazine, Jacques Rougerie reflects on more than fifty years of research dedicated to underwater architecture and shares the conviction that has guided his work throughout his career: the future of humanity also depends on a deeper understanding of the ocean.
Although 71% of our planet is covered by seas and oceans, this vast world remains largely unexplored. For Jacques Rougerie, the time has come to develop a true blue economy, built on scientific research, innovation, and respect for living ecosystems.
The interview also highlights the SeaOrbiter project, the first international ocean station designed to enable a permanent scientific presence beneath the sea. Conceived as a drifting laboratory operating within the world's major ocean currents, SeaOrbiter aims to continuously observe marine biodiversity, climate phenomena, and the impacts of global environmental change, opening the way to an unprecedented understanding of the oceans.
Jacques Rougerie also emphasizes that underwater architecture cannot simply replicate terrestrial models. Inspired by biomimicry, it requires a truly multidisciplinary approach, bringing together architects, engineers, biologists, psychologists, and sociologists to imagine future living environments adapted to aquatic ecosystems.
This vision also lies at the heart of the Jacques Rougerie Foundation – Académie des beaux-arts, which supports a new generation of architects, engineers, and designers in developing innovative solutions for living sustainably in marine environments. By fostering dialogue between arts, sciences, and technologies in connection with nature, the Foundation contributes to making the ocean a new frontier for research, innovation, and creativity in the service of future generations.