Unity in Diversity: Rue Camille Claudel Residential Project in Clichy

The land is immediately adjacent to the banks of the Seine. It is divided into two parcels of equal size by a road running parallel to the river, Rue Camille Claudel – the project’s namesake. The residential project comprises an ensemble of seven volumes. Of these, Hamonic+Masson & Associés have placed three in the northern area and the remaining four in the southern part of the land. Their design is uniform, yet they differ in shape and size.

All of the volumes are raised in the plinth area and have been glazed from floor to ceiling. This enables views between the individual buildings, the connecting road and the lovingly planted green areas. Above the ground floor, Hamonic+Masson & Associés have covered the ten-storey structures in a light, airy metal structure. Kept completely in white, this appears either as finely perforated panelling, semitransparent, ceiling-high privacy screening or low balustrades depending on the direction. These elements conjure up a lively image on the façades and respond to direct sunlight and the view as well. This provides not only the best possible living quality inside, but also creates dynamic exterior views which change according to the time of day, season and weather.

The 170-odd privately owned apartments and 160 subsidized units are arranged around a central access core. Each apartment has its own spacious balcony. With Rue Camille Claudel, Hamonic+Masson & Associés show that large urban-development projects need not be faceless or dull. They impressively demonstrate how a simple design concept and intelligent floor plans can be translated as unity in diversity.