The population of the La Chapelle neighborhood in Paris is as varied as its architecture. Haussmann-era buildings stand next to warehouses and light industry workshops bordering those of the SNCF along the tracks leading into the Gare de l’Est. It would have been inconceivable to build a student residence here that would turn its back on the area’s cultural wealth. In fact, it was imperative that the new program interact with and contribute to the sense of liveliness of the neighborhood’s streets. At the same time, though, the space had to foster a sense of concentration among the students, as well as a sense of community among the residents (usually alone in their rooms) in the common spaces. By playing with the program’s density and the jumps in scale mandated by zoning laws, we arrived at a form that embraced this paradox. The 143 studios are divided among several volumes that sit around a courtyard that becomes a sort of village square. The street frontage is hollowed out by two openings, giving up some of its linearity in favour of the liveliness of the public space. The first empty space provides access from the street, and the second hosts the metal stairways that access the different floors of the residence. On the ground level, a bicycle parking space tucked in underneath the housing units is also visible from the street. The fine stainless steel grill that protects them also gives passersby a glimpse into the middle of the block. The courtyard’s sense of warmth increases the more its luminous ambience contrasts with the darker façade on the street, which is covered with handmade, slate-colored bricks. The courtyard, surrounded by buildings with a larch wood siding, is bathed in a golden light. Playing on the contrasts in the materials was another way for us to imbue the project with a sense of urbanness while also providing a sense of conviviality.

The courtyard is the functional and communal heart of this small village. It provides access to the individual residences located at the back of the parcel. The distribution system is very legible: like the streets, the four vertical circulation blocks are situated at the four corners of the block. They are often exterior and sometimes accessible by passing under a porch. The studios, 18 m² in size, are very livable. The window area varies from one unit to the other, but access to a balcony or the sharing of a terrace adds significant value to a program of small residences such as these. Lastly, the furniture, which was in part custom designed (the desk, the lighting, the bookcase, etc.), as well as the blinds contribute to the general sense of attractiveness, like the courtyard. Due to its ample size (a square shape 225 m2 in size), the courtyard is a pleasant garden onto which the collective spaces look (a common room and a computer room). Making this exterior space the functional core of the project ensured that it would be occupied; the space encourages the students to engage with one another and form connections. It was also a way to justify its existence to a client who was very wary of the cost of maintaining such a space. The horizontal and vertical surfaces are covered with the same supple, light-colored material usually reserved for playgrounds, which ensure their durability over time. Softening the noises of footsteps, it is as playful as it is comfortable. The wide rims of the garden beds also serve as benches where students can sit and enjoy a bit of peace and quiet amidst all the liveliness and agitation of the city around them.

Client: RIVP – CROUS / Budget: 8.0 M€ HT / Area: 3950 m² / Schedule: 2007 – 2011 / Team: HQE : Franck Boutté, BET TCE : LGX Ingénierie