Gambetta
Three in one : a building, a land reserve and a new shared garden
Avenue Gambetta, Paris 20th
New construction of 39 intermediate-rent and 13 social housing units
The single-building layout limits the construction footprint while meeting the project’s requirements, preserving the potential for future expansion and avoiding direct overlooking of existing buildings. Facing south towards the garden, the street-facing building avoids overlooking the neighbouring residences, while its siting and form reduce the perceived density from the existing residential building. The gap along the street frontage is retained, while the slender southern gable and the absence of construction at the centre of the block preserve open, well-lit green spaces. By rationalising the project, a greater share of the budget can be allocated to the quality of everyday living and shared amenities, ensuring the long-term sustainability of collective housing. The single-building layout frees up space and creates a green lung dedicated to urban biodiversity and food growing.
This contemporary garden extends across the entire site, opening it up to the street while offering the residential complex a variety of outdoor spaces. The street-facing building engages with the two existing structures by echoing their folds, thereby eliminating any sense of hierarchy. These regular, continuous folds allow the new building to open up to the street and natural light, prevent overlooking, respect planning setback requirements and provide outdoor spaces for the apartments. Unfolding from the street towards the garden and shaping the building’s façades, they create a gap that connects the street and the garden.
