Arches Boulogne, France
In May 2016, Arches Boulogne, located on a former industrial site in the suburb of Boulogne-Billancourt near Paris, was completed by French architecture firm Antonini Darmon. The social housing block has a Neoclassical aesthetic courtesy of a white concrete façade surrounded on all sides by colonnade rows.
The building, which cost €4.2 million, accommodates 33 apartments and forms part of a wider redevelopment project of an area that was previously dominated by Renault car factories.
The classical-style arches are intended to frame views as well as provide the facades with shading from direct sunlight.
The building is multi-oriented, meaning that the balconies width surrounding the seven storeys depends on the direction they face. Narrower terraces facing north maximise natural light exposure, while broader walkways on other sides protect against summer heat.
The building is also designed to collect rainwater which is treated onsite to relieve pressure on the existing urban drainage system.
According to the architects the building, “works as an ecological hamlet, inviting people to meet, talk and reinforce a more environmental behavior.”
Content and images courtesy of Antonini Darmon.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- 416-420 Kent, Williamsburg.
- Cabin Straumsnes, Norway.
- Eiffel Tower.
- French new towns.
- Gaia Building, Ecuador.
- Hyperion, Bordeaux.
- JTI Headquarters, Geneva.
- Mirage - Montparnasse Tower renovation.
- Occitanie Tower, Toulouse.
- One Hyde Park.
- RB12, Rio de Janeiro.
- The Movement, Greenwich.
- UNIC, Paris.
- US Embassy hotel plans.
Featured articles and news
Electrotechincal mentors wanted
TESP works with The Youth Group to form skill sharing network.
OpenBuilt supply chain technology in development
Big tech collaborates on platform for the built environment.
Concerns raised over Future Buildings Standard
Letter signed by 21 organisations sent to MHCLG.
The infrastructure planning process
A look at the Government's strategic approach.
Steps to help reduce the spread of infection inside buildings.
Urban exploration and construction
This social media-centred hobby can be both dangerous and illegal.
Millwork wall treatment with a long and illustrious history.
Weekly workplace noise estimator tool
HSE introduces cumulative exposure calculator.
The Edwardians and their houses.
Cut off from civilian life for over 900 years.
Can net zero and levelling-up align?
Gaining green support from the carbon giants.
Medieval passageways with spiritual, transport and economic purposes.
CIOB applauded for people management leadership
Organisation receives accreditation from Investors in People.
Receive the Designing Buildings newsletter
Click the button to subscribe.