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Public Housing in Paris: Classic and Contemporary

Located in the XVIII arrondissement and comprising 11 units, the complex stands out for its CLT structure and timber façade, echoing the style of traditional Parisian buildings

Atelier Tarabusi

Public housing in Paris
By Editorial Staff -

Situated in Paris’s XVIII arrondissement, a district that’s been evolving for many years, this public housing complex is the work of Atelier Tarabusi. Comprising six levels, eleven units, and a retail space at street level, the building occupies a narrow but deep lot in continuity with the street. Mainly built using bio- and geo-sourced materials, the project is a good example of sustainable public housing.

Social Housing - Atelier Tarabusi ©Sergio Grazia, courtesy of Social Housing - Atelier Tarabusi

 

Timber public housing in the XVIII arrondissement

 

The uniqueness of this building lies in its vertical structure of fir columns and CLT beams, which extends upwards from the second floor. The building core, comprising the staircases and elevators, however, is reinforced concrete to enhance stability.

Its floors are solid CLT, while the façade on the inner courtyard and boundary walls use timber framing with compressed wood wool insulation. All these elements are factory-produced, reducing on-site construction times.

Social Housing - Atelier Tarabusi ©Sergio Grazia, courtesy of Social Housing - Atelier Tarabusi


The street façade, which has extensive glazing to optimize natural light inside, comprises prefabricated timber elements, each with two full-height glazed openings protected by a balustrade.

These components rest on a concrete string course aligned with the floor slab on each level. This not only contributes to fire compartmentalization between levels, but is also used for rainwater drainage and the installation of external sunshading.

Social Housing - Atelier Tarabusi ©Sergio Grazia, courtesy of Social Housing - Atelier Tarabusi

 

Traditional architecture and a contemporary vision

 

The architects used new techniques and materials to reinterpret the characteristic elements of traditional Parisian architecture, such as the cornices and classic tripartite façades. In this way, they established a strong connection with the history and identity of the context, while also expressing a contemporary vision.

Social Housing - Atelier Tarabusi ©Sergio Grazia, courtesy of Social Housing - Atelier Tarabusi


One of the key objectives of affordable housing is to foster local integration for the benefit of both the community and the individual. For this reason, to minimize common expenses, each unit has independent heating and controlled mechanical ventilation.

Social Housing - Atelier Tarabusi ©Sergio Grazia, courtesy of Social Housing - Atelier Tarabusi


Each lower floor has two apartments of different sizes, designed around the building’s structural grid. A single three-room apartment occupies the entire top floor. A spacious terrace takes advantage of the setback from the façade required by local planning regulations. In this unit, the timber structure has been left exposed, with the joints between frames concealed by a vertical timber column.

Social Housing - Atelier Tarabusi ©Sergio Grazia, courtesy of Social Housing - Atelier Tarabusi


A vertical joint on both sides of the façade distinguishes it visually from the neighboring buildings, creating formal and structural autonomy. The connection between the new façade and the adjacent walls is set back from the street line, creating a discreet space for building services such as guttering and ventilation grilles.

Social Housing - Atelier Tarabusi ©Sergio Grazia, courtesy of Social Housing - Atelier Tarabusi


The portion of the façade that corresponds to the attic floor, which spans its entire width, has zinc cladding panels, creating continuity with the roof and visual contrast with the lower floors.

 

>>> Discover Residencia Oslo, designed by Christophe Rousselle and Jean Philippe Marre, in Paris

 

Credits

Location: Parigi
Completion: 2024
Gross Floor Area: 602 m²
Client: RIVP
Architect: Atelier Tarabusi with Christine Rousselot
Main Contractor: SNERCT

Consultants
Systems Engineering: Gruet Ingénierie BET TCE
MEP: BTP Consultants

Photography by Sergio Grazia, courtesy of Atelier Tarabusi

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