The new RIVP (Paris public housing agency) building houses three services: a hostel for immigrants, a hostel for young workers, a 66 place day care on the ground floor, as well as communal facilities. Located in Paris’ 20th arrondissement, just beyond the Beltway, it is both Parisian and Lilasian.
▼ Exterior
The building’s almost unique location in Paris makes it a concrete symbol of the reconnection between the two areas.
The building is part of an area undergoing immense change: the beltway, partially covered and lies just to the west, the site’s sloping topography, the art-house cinema, and experimental platform. The building plays with all of these elements, using them as new reference points.
▼ Concept And Appearance
The building is a high-density dwelling, where the third floor is an open space shared by all residents, with views of Paris, which also spreads as a rift above, providing a different visual element.
The structure’s homogeneity is a response to the building’s symbolic nature; it is visible in the area’s new public spaces. The high density of services offered translates into very carefully planned housing, and is offset by two breaks that divide the building both horizontally and vertically, increasing the value of the compact spaces.
The third floor is open, and has a view of Paris. This is a common space for residents, where they can access all the community services provided.
A vertical rift, which is a source of light for the circulations and faces the street, offering a visual link between hostel life and the area around it.
▼ “Cracks” Covered With Brass
The facades are made of durable and easy to maintain handmade smokeless ash bricks. The shiny copper elements used in the public Spaces and vertical cracks contrast sharply with these bricks. In addition, the opening Windows on the building are mostly 2 meters square, so the open scale makes the area of 18 square meters of the dormitory very bright.
The entire building is covered in a homogeneous skin. By referencing the buildings around the outskirts of Paris (low-cost housing), the choice of authentic materials makes a link with a distinctive era of RIVP construction. The building is faced in brick, which is long-lasting and easy to maintain. Bricks were placed using a square-edged joint cut and are handmade. This semi-industrial manufacturing method gives the brick infinite shades in its anthracite tones. In order to bring out the sensual pleasure of this material, the two caesuras are dressed in copper. The luminosity and reflective quality of this material contrasts with the velvety texture of the dark brick. The building’s rounded edges are dressed in brick, and the successive setting back of floors 7, 8, and 9 from the building’s base frees up space for some small terraces in varnished aluminum. The building’s compactness has allowed for mostly 2×2 m windows for each studio, which are on average 18m².
▼ Public Floor Corridor
The golden common floor with the main functions of the media center, sports hall, kitchen is located on the third floor and aims to connect the residents of the two different groups and increase mutual understanding by participating in common activities.
The hostel’s common amenities (media centre, sport hall, group kitchen, etc.) are all located on one level (third floor). This area offers the two hostels’ residents the possibility to “live together.” It allows them to get to know each other as they participate in different activities.
The goal of mixing diverse groups together has real meaning here. It brings the client’s main ambition of bringing different hostels together under one roof to life.
Complementing the horizontal break, the vertical rift hollows out the building (on Rue du Docteur Gley), channeling natural light into the circulation and urban space, creating areas for people to come together and relax on each floor. This also creates a break in the rhythm of the 30 flat per floor distribution.
▼ Appearance, The Golden Area Is The Public Floor, And The Windows On The Surface Of The Remaining Areas Are Mostly Two Meters Square.
▼ Sunset, Open Public Floor
Located entirely on the ground floor, it faces south. The rooms enjoy generous light and extend to the outside play areas. An aerial canopy made of light metallic mesh covers the play areas, giving a sense of protection without blocking any light. A combination of delicate and rustic plants borders the playground.
▼ Daycare Center Outdoor Play Area
▼ Inside The Day Care Center
The layout of the dormitory is mostly square to maximize the use of space, and all the furniture inside is custom furniture designed by the architect. Folding shutters shield the kitchen for maximum flexibility in the living space
Within the hostel, the flat “type” is designed to make maximum use of the space available, and to provide a flexible living area. The architect designed furniture has been custom made. Shutters mean the kitchenette can be closed off, and provide built-in drawers for the table. There are two sleeping options: either a pull-out bed or a trundle bed. The bench and wardrobe are also designed to maximize space and comfort, while the bathrooms are naturally lit using a light well.
▼ Dormitory Lobby
▼ Dormitory Staircase Space
▼ Dormitory Corridor
▼ Inside The Dormitory, All Furniture Is Customized
Two wind turbines are installed on the roof. They supply the day-care during the day and the hostel at night. This choice of energy supply, still in its infancy in an urban setting, is particularly justified here. The building is situated in an elevated position and is located in a wind corridor. Solar panels on the roof meet 30% of the building’s energy needs.
