The parasitic 3BOX structures are possible thanks to the new ALUR law, which promotes new housing development in Paris by allowing developers to build additional units as part of a building renovation. The company Les Toits du Monde—which translates to “roofs of the world”—seized on the opportunity to save costs by not purchasing land and commissioned Stéphane Malka Architecture to build 3BOX’s three rooftop units on a budget of 680,000€. The structures were completed in January 2016 and are located at 4, rue Jean Poulmarch, Paris 10.
The greenery-topped prefab buildings were constructed with patented panels developed by the architects and Les Toits du Monde’s team of engineers and specialists. The modular structures can be expanded as needed and outfitted with renewable energy systems to achieve plus-energy status. According to Les Toits du Monde, the 3BOX project has already achieved High Environmental Quality (HQE) and Low Consumption Building (BBC) certifications.
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“Building on top of the roofs is not only an ecological and economical solution, it’s working against the urban sprawl that kills the social link,” write the architects. “It’s also a contemporary way to discover new perspectives of the city, a new Paris above the horizon.”
+ Stéphane Malka Architecture
Images via Stéphane Malka Architecture
