1989
Algerian born, Paris based Meriem Chabani (°1989, Algiers, DZ) is the Founder of NEW SOUTH (2015, Paris, FR), an award-winning architecture, urban planning and anthropology practice that puts the margin at the center. Her work on civic spaces, memory and belonging includes includes the Taungdwingyi cultural center in Myanmar, the Globe Aroma refugee art center in Brussels, and the upcoming Mosque Zero in Paris. She is currently a finalist for the National Slavery Museum of Amsterdam.
Alongside her practice, Chabani is deeply engaged in architectural education and research. She served as Aga Khan Design Critic in Architecture at Harvard Graduate School of Design in 2025 and currently teaches at École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture Paris-Malaquais.
Her work has regularly been distinguished and showcased at a number of international architecture Biennials, including Venice, Istanbul, Oslo and Lagos. In 2020 Chabani won the Europe 40 under 40 award from The European Centre for Architecture and The Chicago Athenaeum. In 2023, AMC recognised her among France’s emerging women architects. In 2025, Le Monde named her one of the leading voices in culture in France.