Rue de Meaux Housing
The Rue de Meaux residential complex, designed by RPBW and completed in 1991, is a 220-unit affordable housing development in Paris’s 19th district. Commissioned by the “Régie Immobilière de la Ville de Paris,” the project prioritizes privacy and green space in a densely populated area. Unlike the original plan, which included a public road, the final design organizes the residences around a central park. This approach fosters a tranquil living environment while integrating seamlessly into the surrounding urban fabric.
A thoughtful urban housing project with a harmonious architectural layout
The rectangular complex is structured like a factory, with its perimeter aligning with neighboring buildings while the center opens onto lush greenery. Vertical openings in the façade create three distinct blocks and provide access to the interior park. This contrast between the bustling streetscape and the serene inner courtyard enhances the residents’ quality of life. The park, featuring white birches and low shrubs, is visible through the façade’s openings, offering a glimpse of nature from the outside. Staircases connecting the apartments open onto this shared green space, reinforcing a sense of community.
Diverse living spaces and functional design
The complex’s volumetric organization allows for a variety of apartment layouts. Most units extend from the city-facing façade to the park, maximizing light and views. Larger apartments feature terraces on the upper floors, while ground-level and duplex units add to the diversity of living options. Commercial spaces on the street-facing lower floors activate the neighborhood, while underground parking preserves the park’s open space. The thoughtful layout balances private and public functions within a cohesive architectural framework.
Material innovation and renovation
The complex’s façade system is characterized by a “double-skin” approach. The park-facing façade features a distinctive grid of precast, fiberglass-reinforced concrete elements, providing ventilation and shading while integrating terracotta tiles and white panels. The street-side façade, initially simpler, was modified between 2007 and 2009 to introduce large double-height windows, aligning with the courtyard’s workshop aesthetic. Additional renovations included cleaning exposed concrete and restoring stairwell grids, ensuring the building’s longevity while maintaining its architectural integrity.
Project Details
Status
Client
Régie Immobilière de la Ville de Paris + Les Mutuelles du Mans
Design
Renzo Piano Building Workshop, architects
Design Team
B.Plattner (partner in charge) with F.Canal, C.Clarisse, T.Hartman, U.Hautch, J.Lohse, R.J.Van Santen, J.F.Schmit
Consultants
GEC Ingénierie (structure and services); M.Desvigne, C.Dalnoky, P.Conversey (landscaping)
General Contractor
Dumez
