15 social housing units and 1 store in Paris 12th arrondissement | Mobile Architectural Office

mobile architectural office (MAO), delivered two social housing buildings in Paris last April - Butte Montmartre (Paris Habitat) and Nation (I3F). Here, the project of 15 social housing units and commercial premise at 52 boulevard de Picpus is presented. Reinterpretation of the archetypes of the habitat of the Parisian suburb? Discovery.

URBAN DUALITY

The site is located in a rich but difficult urban setting. Built between a boulevard and an urban street, the project derives its volume and expression from this duality.

On Boulevard de Picpus, the 8-storey building harmonises with adjoining buildings. Marked with great urbanity and civility, the facades express a coherent shared built elevation. The repetitive grid, similar window module and masonry project a very classic character. The design intent seeks calmness, stability and durability.

On rue Sibuet, the building is a lower built volume. The lower height reduces overlooking between neighbours and integrates the building into the streetscape. This 5-storey building also deploys the adjoining regularity of window openings. On the roof, a shared deck provides residents with a large outdoor space and vegetable garden.

The tight site required a building design that takes into account the construction constraints and resulting nuisance to the neighbourhood. Extensive prefabrication of masonry elements made it possible to shorten construction programme, on a site without storage space.

The concrete prefabrication system (precast walls) is evident in facade, giving to it mouldings and proportions. The application of materials is frugal and sober. A colourless stain to protect the precast concrete, timber joinery and shading (made in Corrèze), a black metal joinery (welded and assembled in Bagnolet) give the facades domesticity and character.