To the south, the linear plot gives onto the chaotic and noisy Boulevard de la Chapelle and, to the north, the calmer rue de Chartres.

The creation of urban differentiations and the positioning of the building to take full advantage of the sun provided us with vital factors to be incorporated into the design of the elevations.

A rich vocabulary of asymmetrically organised small openings provides the south elevation with solar protection while giving a flowing architectural appearance that echoes the movements of traffic along the boulevard.

A more symmetrical and organised language making use of large openings is given to the north elevation to bring light into the building while ensuring its harmonious incorporation into its surroundings.

The building incorporates two related programmes: the first is a care centre for drug addicts and the second a group of halfway-house accommodation units for former drug addicts. The two programmes are separated by two vertical circulation cores and provided with independent entrances. Our intention was to provide a vertical structure that blended in to the surrounding fabric while creating a separating void (used for vertical circulation movements). Visually, this results in two disconnected forms that, in themselves, generate an urban event in a uniform architectural context. The void also participates in the natural ventilation of the accommodation units.

Client: SIEMP / Cost: € 1.5M excl. VAT / Surface: 693m² / Schedule: 2006 – 2018 / Team: ADC (Structure), BETHAC (Fluid), Morel (Economy)