Residence in Paris
In the 1960s a reinforced-concrete high-rise was erected on the grounds of the historic Fondation Eugène Napoléon ensemble. Under the current building regulations, on this site in the densely populated 12th arrondissement, a new building of this height would not be allowed. Because the aim was not merely to maintain the status quo, but to gain additional net surface area, the owner opted for a refurbishment and an addition to the building. In its new metallic skin, with scattered colourful accents shimmering through, the residence is now upbeat and urbane. Approaching the building from the lively Boulevard Diderot, one experiences the walled-off site as a green oasis – it is a painstakingly designed outdoor space with a surface area of nearly 1000 m² featuring a mature stand of trees. The new funnel-shaped multi-purpose hall is aligned with the axis of the classicist complex; this hall also structures the outdoor space and connects the three-storey addition to the existing building. For the extension, which is situated on the west side, the architect positioned a steel structure in front of the original building; its many folds cast off the rigidity of the orthogonal building massing. A perforated aluminium skin envelopes both the old and the new: depending on the incidence of light, its appearance ranges from grey and porous to silvery and solid. To achieve this effect, a number of mock-ups testing different open area ratios were made. The cut outs in the outer skin are oriented to the inner facade, but with subtle variations in size and arrangement so that the grid of the existing facade is obscured, producing a more relaxed look. The sculpted effect achieved with the different depths of this layer further animates the building massing. The 141 apartments were designed with attention to detail. Despite their small size, thanks to their arrangement in two zones, the light-toned furniture, and the direct sightlines to the city beyond, they seem spacious. The design’s commitment to sustainability is in evidence in the versatile floor plans with lightweight partition walls and the energetic refurbishment concept, which stipulated additional insulation on facades and roof, new windows and photovoltaic elements.
