Student housing units , Paris
wooden frame surelevation and reused brick cladding
The innovative spirit of the Faubourg St-Antoine is embodied in the transformation of the 19th rue de Prague into student housing. This post-Covid project focuses on creating a secure and private environment with ample natural lights and social-friendly amenities.
The existing building, originally one story, has been raised by four additional levels, creating 32 living units, two shared terraces and a 135 m2 commercial space.
By preserving the concrete structure and brick facades, the design seamlessly blends with its surroundings through a three-layer approach including the existing base, an aligned main body, and a recessed top. The extension will use reclaimed bricks with metal railings and copper elements which nod to the building’s neighborhood artisanal heritage.
This project does more than revitalize an existing building, it brings new life into the urban planning of Faubourg Saint-Antoine, blending tradition and modernity in a welcoming environment for young people.
The ground floor retains the main entrance and includes common and technical areas in the lit basement. A centralized vertical circulation is optimizing spaces and enables a uniform studio distribution. Each studio is designed to maximize natural light and space thanks to a flexible living area. Therefore, the top floor will feature a shared room and kitchen as well as planted terraces in order to promote socialization and relaxation.
In a nutshell, more than a housing project the 19th rue de Prague integrates a strong environmental approach. Indeed, green rooftops will enhance biodiversity as well as improving the site’s aesthetic appeal with climate-suited plants and wildlife shelters. Moreover, off-site wooden construction will minimize disruptions, reducing construction time, dust, water usage and task difficulty on-site.
