Commissioned for the boardroom of Hines' European headquarters in Covent Garden, London, Traces of Absence / L’Art de Bâtir honours the monumental legacy of Jean-Baptiste Rondelet’s Traité Théorique et Pratique de L'Art de Bâtir, one of the first comprehensive encyclopaedias on building construction. Completed over eight months in 2023-2024, this triptych merges historical theory with contemporary craftsmanship.

Spanning three panels (99 x 151 cm each), the work combines folded paper, nickel silver sheets, and monochrome drawings. Illustrations of staircases, arches, and building plans reflect the artist’s view of architects as both creators and engineers. The metallic surfaces mirror the silvery tones of the illustrations, symbolising the blend of artistry and engineering in architectural design.

The uniformity of folded paper and metal creates a powerful symmetry, while the nickel silver sheets evoke modern steel frameworks, underscoring the industrial beauty and precision of architecture.