Badia Berger architects
Post By:Kitticoon Poopong
 |
| Photo © Courtesy of Benoit Fougeirol, David Boureau |
"The facades overlooking the public space are calm, light and simple, in contrast to the domestic setting of the inside of the block, which is expressed by colours, external extensions, materials greenery and plants climbing the tower’s facades, which the residents are free to add to."
Badia Berger architects
 |
| Photo © Courtesy of Benoit Fougeirol, David Boureau |
Description by Badia Berger architects
The urban rules applied by Christian de Portzamparc in the Massen a district offer a new kind of freedom.This freedom would be of no interest if it consisted merely of work on shapes and materials. We have used it to form a new urban landscape which balances the density of the developments with the quality of the housing.
 |
| Photo © Courtesy of Benoit Fougeirol, David Boureau |
The built-up blocks that make up the open lot
This is a high-density block, inserted between two university developments, notably the UFR de Biologie built by Francois Chochon and Laurent Pierre, which are separated from bya narrow, 10m-wide street.
The land coefficient on our plot is 4.8, which is comparable to the land coefficient of 5 that exists in the Opera district, the most densely occupied area in Paris.
 |
| Photo © Courtesy of Benoit Fougeirol, David Boureau |
The project arranges the built-up blocks into two main entities: a “square”, that uses the lines and angles of the main streets with, as a counterpoint, on the secondary street Elsa Morante, a “tower”, that frees up the land and space, a volume whose contours are dematerialised compare with the UFR de Biologie block.
In order to open up spaces to provide far-reaching views, we are using the maximum heights permitted, while controlling the impact of the shadows created.
 |
| Photo © Courtesy of Benoit Fougeirol, David Boureau |
The volumes were checked at the time of the competition by sunlight studies.
The mass ratios, as with those of the materials and colours, were also regularly checked before and druing construction. For example, to address teh constrast with the UFR, studies were carried out on a mock-up of the whole site on a 1/100 scale.
 |
| Photo © Courtesy of Benoit Fougeirol, David Boureau |
Apartments
Our proposal uses several devices contained in the “oversized mantle” to provide views and quality sunshine for each apartment.Those located in the square’s podium block have all the usual configurations. However, all the apartments in the tall spaces and the tower automatically benefit from double or even triple aspects. Many have far-reaching views.
This arrangement of angled apartments means they can be close to the built-up blocks. The prospects are calculated on the main views. Only the secondary views open up onto the UFR.
 |
| Photo © Courtesy of Benoit Fougeirol, David Boureau |
The quality of the accommodation contributes to the quality of the town; the living environment created offers glimpses of life through the facades and breathes life back in to the public space.
 |
| Photo © Courtesy of Benoit Fougeirol, David Boureau |
 |
| Photo © Courtesy of Benoit Fougeirol, David Boureau |
Courtyard and private garden
The open lot lets you discover the private garden from the street, set up visual escapes, allow light and sunshine to pass through and to arrange the continuity of planted areas.The facades overlooking the public space are calm, light and simple, in contrast to the domestic setting of the inside of the block, which is expressed by colours, external extensions, materials greenery and plants climbing the tower’s facades, which the residents are free to add to.
 |
| Photo © Courtesy of Benoit Fougeirol, David Boureau |
 |
| Photo © Courtesy of Benoit Fougeirol, David Boureau |
The garden theme inspires the floors and the walls on the ground floor, and back on to the tower’s facades.
 |
| Photo © Courtesy of Benoit Fougeirol, David Boureau |
 |
| Photo © Courtesy of Benoit Fougeirol, David Boureau |
The plant-themed panels, designed by the painter Elisabeth Guilhem, will be covered with vinces and ivy from flower boxes in which the residents will also be able to plant what they like.
 |
| site plan--drawing Courtesy of Badia Berger architects |
 |
| typical floor plan--drawing Courtesy of Badia Berger architects |
 |
| sun study--drawing Courtesy of Badia Berger architects |
The people
Location: Seine Left Bank Urban Development Zone Paris 13th ArrondissementStatus: Architectural competition September 2003, winning project
Client / Contractor: Paris Habitat
Project management
Architect: Badia Berger
Design and Development: GEC Ingenierie
Lanscape designer: JM Rameau
Surface are: 6,974 m2 TNFA
Cost: €8.66 million excluding tax
Company
Paris Ouest Construction
Materials
Facade: Decorative coating Terrastyl polychrome, Raw concrete finish, Ultra high performance concrete
Joinery
Enamelled aluminum
Flooring
Outside: Serpentino Verde stone
Inside: Polished Serpentino stone (Entrance halls)
Photographers
Benoit Fougeirol, David Boureau
