COQUILLE is available for new projects

Coquille is an architectural practice founded in Finistère in 2026 by Elisabeth Biville.

Its practice takes its name from Paul Valéry’s text L’Homme et la coquille, which explores the relationship between a form and what gives rise to it.

Coquille pays particular attention to the uniqueness of each project and to its coherence with a context, culture and patterns of use shaped over time. Whether transforming, extending or building, the practice seeks to anchor each project within its environment, with careful consideration for the places, materials and people who bring them to life.

Founder Elisabeth Biville qualified as an architect in 2017. After studying in Paris, she gained nine years of professional experience in complementary roles — from the client’s perspective and from the architect’s perspective — across a variety of geographical and professional contexts, including Paris, India and Brittany. These experiences have shaped the way she views architecture: as an undefined material made up of layers, an object that seeks to find its place.

Academic Background

2022 · ENSA Paris-Malaquais — Habilitation to Exercise Project Management in Her Own Name (HMONP)

2017 · ENSA Paris-Malaquais — State Diploma in Architecture, under the supervision of Jean-Pierre Vallier and Luca Merlini: “La trame de l’obsession — Rencontre avec Marguerite Duras, Gérard Garouste et John Cage”

2015 · Gap year — Bangalore and Pondicherry, India

2014 · ENSA Paris-Malaquais — Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture

Professional Experience

2026 · Coquille — Managing Architect, Carantec, Finistère

2023–2025 · Independent Practice — Carantec, Finistère

2021–2025 · ENIA ARCHITECTES — Architect, working on commercial and professional projects in Rennes, Ille-et-Vilaine

2020–2021 · French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Directorate for Property and Logistics — Project Manager, responsible for planning and implementing France’s state property policy across Central Africa, North America and Europe

2018–2020 · Embassy of France in India — Property Project Manager, responsible for planning and managing the French State’s property investment projects across South Asia

2015 · INTACH — Intern, Pondicherry, India

2013 · TRUELLE SCP — Intern, Gentilly, Val-de-Marne

Have a project in mind? Contact Elisabeth Biville today to discuss it!