Collective Relationships: Housing Development in Rive-de-Gier

Consisting of ten single-family houses, a terraced strip and two multistorey blocks, the complex is made up of five different dwelling types between 30 m² and 100 m² in area. As early as the competition stage, the architects worked together with the construction firm to achieve maximum cost and material savings. Since the prefabricated wall elements arrived on site already insulated and with service runs, glazing and window shutters incorporated, the erection process was considerably shortened. Even the sanitary modules were completely preassembled. Additional savings were made by restricting the number of window sizes to two.

After a construction period of only six months, the ten single-family houses were the first to be completed. The quality of the buildings is nevertheless comparatively high. They are well insulated, have a good level of finishings and are fitted with wooden windows. Every dwelling has its own balcony or small garden. Since the access spaces are unheated and situated on the outer faces, natural lighting and ventilation were possible. Oriented to the south, the buildings have solar collectors in part for hot water.

Some 370 m³ of regional timber were used to manufacture the prefabricated elements in a nearby works. It was possible to locate all parking lots for residents easily accessible on site and thus obviate expensive underground construction for basement garages.