architect: Atelier du Pont
location: Paris, France
This large block of 8 flats merges smoothly into the heterogeneity of the Impasse Daunay cul-de-sac. Facing the street, the textured glass skin covering the facades pays discreet homage to the glass walls of the artists’ studios in this Père Lachaise neighbourhood. The choice of glass, used here for the facade covering, parapets, transparent partitions for common areas or simply as windows, has an aesthetic appeal in its uniformity of material and stark simplicity in keeping with the project’s general low key approach: just 8 housing units in a little cul-de-sac. Glass being also the most durable material of all, this choice reflects therefore the project’s environmental credentials.
But on taking a closer look, you can see a subtle interplay of illumination and reflections. From the façade’s plain printed glass panels to the clear glazing of the opening windows in the rooms and common areas, and the textured glass in the fixed windows on the landings, the materials vary according to the use and the protected areas in order to maximise the amount of natural light while preserving the occupants’ privacy. The windows are naturally made of clear glass and can be opened for maintenance purposes. On the courtyard side, the retified pine cladding extends the ambiance of the neighbouring condominium‘s garden.
Sheltered from the hustle and bustle of the town, this open-work wood facade is more ‘sensitive’. The thermal insulation muffles the noise and reduces echoing in the courtyard. The pine used is certificated and comes from local sources. It is treated at very high temperatures to extract moisture, and therefore requires no maintenance.
The orange colour of the communal areas has the effect of highlighting the glass’s dominant hard characteristic. The systematic nature of this monochrome look is counter-balanced by the vivid brightness of the common areas. In the street, the colour is relatively unobtrusive and is visible only in the entrance. Beneath its quiet exterior, this apartment block sets the stage for a modern revolution: it contains the very first housing units of the Paris ‘climate plan’.
