Housing Development in Rive de Gier
- Emilia Margaretha
The design projects of the French Tectoniques Architectes are based on a sustainable approach to building. The present housing complex south-west of Lyons is an ongoing development of previous schemes and uses a prefabricated timber form of construction. For the 12,000 m² site, the architects designed 60 publicly financed dwellings, combining four different housing types in a uniform manner of construction. Consisting of a terraced block and multi-storey structures, the complex comprises 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 reduced. 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 terraced houses were completed first. Their quality 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 circulation spaces are situated unheated between two houses, they could be naturally lighted and ventilated. The buildings oriented to the south have solar collectors in part for hot water. Some 370 m³ of regional building timber were used to manufacture the elements in a local works. It was possible to situate all parking lots for residents easily accessible on site, which obviated expensive underground construction for basement garages.
