High Performance Housing Complex for Parisian Students is Woven Into the Urban Fabric

Students living in<a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/Paris"> Paris</a> now have access to a residential development with high environmental performance. Located nearby a redevelopment project of former railway yards, the student residence was designed by <a href="http://inhabitat.com/sparking-edf-national-archive-building-boasts-a-beautiful-high-performance-facade/">LAN Architecture</a> and completed in February of 2011 to provide housing for 143 students. Set in a diverse district populated by residential buildings, factories and workshops, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/zuiderzeeweg-modular-student-housing-block-can-be-moved-to-a-new-location/">student housing building</a> is designed to blend into the mix with appropriately sized heights and lots of open courtyard space for students. Additionally, the building has a tight and highly insulated envelope to reduce energy use, and complies with the “Habitat and Environment” label’s VHEP specifications.

The project is composed of multiple buildings of varying heights surrounding a central courtyard.

Each apartment is roughly 18 sq meters each with a view into the courtyard to induce a calming effect.

The heights of the buildings on the street match the surrounding buildings fitting in with the context of the urban street, while the buildings on the interior are lower in height and match the back neighbors.

The street facing facade is covered in black slate brick, while the interior is covered in larch planking with folding louvered shutters in front of the windows and balconies.

A central courtyard and bike parking area provides additional space to all of the residents and encourages community and gatherings.

The courtyard also acts as a green lung for the development and pull in additional natural daylighting into each apartment.

Materials were chosen for their durability as well as their aesthetics.

Each room comes equipped with a bathroom, a small kitchen, sleeping area and desk, which is located next to a window for better lighting.

The project attained higher energy performance largely due to the treatment of the envelope, use of solar power for heating and natural ventilation.

Not only was reduced energy use a goal but also the internal comfort for the student residents.

The concrete structure is insulated with 12 cm of mineral wool, the brick or wood cladding and double glazed windows, allowing the building to retain heat inside during the winter and reject heat during the summer.

A large balcony looks down onto the street.

Outdoor stair access fits into the chasm between two of the buildings.