The renovation of the Fréquel-Fontarabie block is the last phase for the development zone in the la Réunion district, a large operation that has sought to remove the insalubrity that has gradually nibbled away at the Faubourg texture of Paris. Characterised by ill-assorted constructions and artisanal wastelands, the block bears extraordinary witness to the urban development of these working class neighbourhoods. Criss-crossed by a web of alleys, courtyards, and picturesque pedestrian walkways, it is divided into narrow but long parcels where city houses coexist alongside newer, large-scale housing projects. These thirty new housing units divided among four buildings were envisioned as part of the neighbourhood’s redevelopment. They attempt to reconstruct the urban fabric by creating a version of the historic morphology of small parcels and constructions that also responds to current environmental challenges. All the project lots host the same program (social housing units with activities or an SME on the ground floor), but their urban role differs perceptibly in function of their placement and influences their interior layout. To the north, lots 6A and 6B are decorated with old-style closed gables that frame the entrance into the heart of the block, the last large stretch of unbuilt ground that has been transformed into a public park. This yields triangular plans of a complex appearance. In reality, this serves to provide the residences with multiple orientations. Lot 6C, which is situated farther away along the same road, reproduces the scale and proportions of the neighbouring buildings to reconstruct a balanced surface among all the buildings. It comprises two small volumes housing two and three housing units respectively that are situated around a partially shared courtyard.

We paid a lot of attention to the collective spaces, including the hallways, courtyards, and stairwells, in each of the four lots. Thus, Lot 6B has a stairwell that receives natural light from a large window facing the street. In Lot 3, situated on the other side of the block and divided into two small volumes separated by private gardens, the stairwells and horizontal circulations are on the outside, which provides the residents with a perfect view of the entire depth of the block. Lot 6A is taller, in fulfillment of its role as a corner building and in announcement of the public passageway that leads into the park; however, its two upper floors are set back from the rest of the building’s profile, which ensures a smooth transition to the neighboring buildings and opens up space for comfortable, free-flowing terraces.

The parcels’ orientation is generally very favorable for creating quality usage and a sustainable residential design. This allows the maximum number of housing units and private terraces to face the green heart of the block. The housing units barely face north and are strongly protected from this direction due to the use of double walls. They have a large window area facing south to benefit as much as possible from the sun’s energy. The architectural style arising from these choices is sober, and the layout of the materials accentuates the individualisation of each residence. The double walls in tinted black concrete coexist with the larch wood siding for Lot 3. Metal accordion shutters adorn the southern façades to provide effective protection against the heat. They recall the shutters on old buildings that sit around village squares, which the public park strives to become.

Client: Paris Habitat / Cost: € 5.5M excl. VAT / Surface: 2706 m² / Schedule: 2007 – 2014 / Team: Franck Boutté (HQE), LGX Ingénierie (All trades engineering)