Architects: LAN (Local Architecture Network) Architecture
Area: 3,950 m²
Year: 2011
Photography: Julien Lanoo
Lead Architects: Sebastian Niemann, Venezia Ferret
HQE Consultant: Franck Boutté
Construction and HVAC: LGX Ingénierie
Client: RIVP – CROUS
City: Paris
Country: France
Student Residence in Paris designed by LAN Architecture in the La Chapelle district has transformed the urban fabric with its strategic integration of street and courtyard spaces. Completed in 2011, the project consists of multiple buildings that enhance communal interactions and provide durable, high-performance accommodations, adhering to “Habitat and Environment” label’s VHEP specifications.
The student residence project, designed by LAN Architecture, is situated in the La Chapelle district of Paris. The plot, located at the corner of rue Philippe de Girard and rue Pajol in the 18th arrondissement, is part of the ZAC Pajol redevelopment. This district features a mix of Haussmannian buildings, factories, and workshops, creating a diverse urban fabric.
The residence comprises several buildings, with street-facing six-story volumes separated by rifts for access and vertical circulation. Building heights at the back vary according to neighboring structures. A central courtyard, lit by a rift in the south building, acts as the heart of the project, providing access to various buildings and ensuring sunlight for all rooms. The 15 x 15 meter courtyard serves as a green lung for the residence.
Material choices create a duality between street and courtyard. Street-facing facades are clad in dark, slate-colored brick, while courtyard buildings feature larch planking with folding louvered shutters. The entry passage facade also uses larch, enhancing the space within. Courtyard surfaces are clad in a light-colored, flexible material typically used for sports areas. Material selection was guided by durability and a refined, classical aesthetic.
The project redefines courtyard and circulation spaces as integral, high-quality areas for residents. These exterior spaces interact with communal areas, providing a buffer between private spaces and fostering conviviality. These spaces, not specified in the project brief, can be adapted by residents for various uses.
The residence includes around 150 rooms, communal spaces, administrative premises, and a caretaker’s apartment. RIVP acted as project manager for CROUS, which will run the residence. Entry via the left rift leads to reception, administrative offices, communal facilities, and study and leisure areas around the courtyard. The 143 rooms, averaging 18 m², include a bathroom and kitchen area. Rooms were designed for natural lighting and calm views of the courtyard, conducive to study. Ten rooms are specially designed for people with reduced mobility.
The project meets the “Habitat and Environment” label’s VHEP specifications, ensuring energy efficiency through compact design, effective envelope treatment, solar heating, and high-performance ventilation and heating systems. The concrete structure, insulated with mineral wool, brick, or wood cladding, and high-performance double-glazed fittings provide thermal insulation. This ensures interior heat retention in winter and reduces solar overheating in summer, with thermal inertia capturing daytime heat for nighttime retention.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: Philippe de Girard Street, Paris 75018, France
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
