The project of the rue Godefroy Cavaignac in Paris consisted within the rehabilitation of a building which didn’t meet hygiene and security standards into new social housing by h2o architectes (lead architect) in collaboration with Ingénierie Louis Choulet (Mechanical and Sustainability Engineer). The agency’s aim was to resume a twin of the building on the street while responding to the necessities of the «patrimoine habitat environnement» certification. The project is essentially in accordance with the building extension, contemporary reinvention of the bow-window, inserted within the prolongation of the incomplete 19th century façade.
The alternation of voids and solids in addition to the diagonal cutting of the volumes break the visual monotony of the alignment of the buildings on the street and offer new and engaging views onto the rue de Charonne. Inside, the apartments reap the benefits of new space and luxury including, for a few of them, a small space for gardening, a loggia or balcony. The courtyard is transformed right into a planted patio that is made visible as a result of a clear wall from the road. A page is turned, social life is reinvented. [Photos and data provided via e-mail by h2o architectes; Photos: Stéphane Chalmeau]