Cité Pierre Sémard
by IWONA BUCZKOWSKA in Seine-saint-denis, France
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Data Info
Author IWONA BUCZKOWSKA
City Seine-saint-denis
Country France
Year 1993
Program Wooden Co-housing
Technical Info
Site area 60000 sqm
Gfa 0 sqm
Density 0 far
Population density 0 inh/ha
Home Units: 225
Jobs 0
Streetsroad: 0 %
Buildup: 0 %
NonBuild-up: 0 %
Residential 0 %
Business 0 %
Commercial 0 %
Civic 0 %
Description

    Urban Design and Layout

     

  • The project is the largest wooden co-housing development in France and is inspired by the urban form of older cities, which were irregular yet responsive to human scale and interaction.
  • The design deviates from the orthogonal grid, opting for a more organic, human-scaled approach to urban form.
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    Architectural Inspiration and Principles

     

  • Inspired by the "proliferative" movement of French architect Jean Renaudie, the design emphasizes ecology, community building, and the avoidance of standardization.
  • The architectural layout uses a square module of 4.9 meters arranged diagonally, creating a triangular, jagged volume for the buildings.
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    Circulation and Connectivity

     

  • The district is designed to be primarily car-free, with underground and peripheral car parking.
  • The ground floor includes a network of pedestrian paths and passageways, while narrow bridge-like passageways connect buildings on the first floor.
  • Shops and artist-in-residence workshops are integrated into the ground floor, enriching the public realm.
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    Public Spaces and Landscaping

     

  • Public squares and open spaces, including a Zen garden, are planted with seasonally-changing trees like lime and maple, providing a dynamic natural setting within the district.
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    Housing and Individuality

     

  • While the project promotes collective living, emphasis is placed on maintaining a sense of individuality for each home. This is achieved through individual gardens, terraces, and ample daylight.
  • A few apartment types have been designed by manipulating the diagonal module, allowing flexibility for different resident needs.
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    Sustainability and Materiality

     

  • The development utilizes larch for facades and glue-laminated fir for beams, creating strong yet lightweight structures.
  • The use of wood has ecological importance, with its low embodied carbon, contributing to carbon storage and promoting good forest management.
  • Timber also provides good thermal insulation, enhancing the energy efficiency of the homes.
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