Client: DOMOFRANCE
Budget: € 530 000 tax excl.
Net floor area: 265 m2
Programme: Awaiting planning permission. Project development in progress - Completion 2012
Yser
Rehabilitation
The project comprises of the rehabilitation of a building situated close to Capucins Market, in the Marne-Yser area.
The existing building, bounded on both sides by neighbouring buildings, runs the entire length of the site having only two façades, one onto cours de l’Yser and the other onto rue de Bègles. It is a traditional stone building, common to Bordeaux, of reasonable proportions with a classic A-Frame sloping ceramic tiled roof.
Envelope
All the internal partitions, internal staircases are demolished, replacing all the wood and metalwork including the roof conserving only the existing timber floors. The sloping roof towards cours de l’Yser, which currently is at a pitch of 20%, is lifted up to a new pitch of 33% conforming to planning and building regulations. The existing stone façades are sandblasted and cleared of neon commercial signs. All the external existing door and window frames are replaced by identical timber double-glazed ones.
Hollowing
The middle of the building is removed to make space for the communal staircase and private balconies for each apartment. The balconies are first shifted in direction, one sliding past the other then pulled outwards so that there is no direct overlooking into apartments. This central external space is like an Italian courtyard, a space for meeting, dining, gardening, all at the same time. It is covered by clerestory glazing lifted up from the roof itself and rests a non-heated but covered dry ‘external’ space. The balconies with their balustrades become little gardening, allotment areas inhabiting this area. The apartments also have a double orientation, the living space including the lounge area and the kitchen have now each a façade, one to the street and one to the courtyard. The other rooms either face the street or the courtyard, naturally lit and ventilated.
The internal courtyard façades are covered in metal rainscreen cladding, lacquered yellow in colour allowing the calming yet brightening yellow tones, their reflections and natural sunlight to reach the ground floor. This make up creates a playful cheery courtyard enclosed on both sides by its neighbouring stone buildings. The external aluminium door and window frames opening onto the courtyard are also of the same lacquered yellow, all blended together. The common staircase including landings and walkways is made from perforated metal sheeting, again letting light to naturally penetrate and filter downwards into the heart of the building. The balustrades and railings are made from thin open vertical steel rods leaving the residents the choice to either enclose their private external space with a screen, planting or other material, insulating themselves from the communal area.