Conversion of a tertiary building into an apartment building in Paris
Conversion of Building in Paris – Architects CoBe Architecture & Paysage
Conversion of Building in Paris
Conversion of Building in Paris – The project, at the corner of the Ridder and Vercingétorix streets in Paris 14tharrondissement, consists of the refurbishment and the raising three levels of a narrow mixed-use services building, into a 37-unit residence, being the first building managed by the Samu Social in Paris.
location plan
TRANSFORMATION / UPGRADING
The coated initial façade, its curved shape, mark the building of its design era. Its refurbishment gives it a more contemporary aspect, anchored it in its time, while nevertheless recalling the codes of a typical Parisian architecture, also allowing it to impose itself in its street, in its environment. The orange coating has been replaced by a strong grey brick, the tone of which changes according to the sun. The very narrow plot has led to a very strict optimization of the project, and the conservation of a large part of the existing structure. All these constraints have given rise to a sharp project, rigorously designed and executed.
Conversion of Building in Paris
Before – After
SHAPE – FACADES
The choice of a mineral facade made of grey bricks was followed to give a visual strength to the building but also to ensure its durability by using a noble material already existing in its environment. In order to respect the minimum separation distances, and to optimize the narrow plot, the building has been raised by three additional levels of apartments above the six existing levels, thus freeing large terraces around the common living rooms. At the corner of the Ridder and Vercingétorix streets, the building is characterized by a beveled edge and thus draws an elegant prow in which are housed common living rooms with wide bays. At the top of the building, this same angle is treated as a reversed-curve and produces an architectural landmark recognizable from afar, as well as two frames of windows move forward slightly to startle the northern façade, inspired by the architectures of the great Parisian avenues of the twentieth century. The proportions of the windows and their layout have been redesigned to display a regular rhythm of bays. This gives the building a clearer and more powerful presence in its location, in order to allow it to reconnect itself with its surroundings and gives it a more Parisian appearance.
Conversion of Building in Paris
Cross section
CONSTRUCTIVE MODE – MATERIALS
USES
The place consists of private apartments and a shared apartment for young women (18-25 years old), thus combining for the first time two types of public to create a positive interaction. The design of the program, the responses to the needs of future users, were enacted by consulting the inhabitants of other similar shelters to ensure the quality of use of the residence. Thus, the accommodations have been designed to preserve the intimacy of each family, especially through parent corners and well-defined children’s corners. The accommodations are associated with common and shared premises: kitchen, dining room, offices, living rooms, children’s spaces, laundromat, furnished by an interior designer. The creation of additional windows to the original project made it possible to light up each dwelling as much as possible. A maximum of accommodations has an outdoor space, whether it is a terrace, a balcony, or a garden.
2nd floor plan
MAIN FEATURES
Client Groupe GALIA Architects CoBe Architecture & Paysage Engineering design offices : ETFB, BMF, ECLA, DEAR Concept, TRIBU ENERGIE Program refurbishment and the raising three levels of a narrow mixed-use services building, into a 37-unit residence, being the first building managed by the Samu Social in Paris. Area 1580 m2 Cost of works 3,2 M€ Delovered November 2020 Photo credits Luc Boegly