French architecture firm YUA studio d'architecture has converted an old metal workshop into housing with light-filled and pastel-toned interiors in Paris, France.

Named Housing and Ateliers in Rue Polonceau, the 280-square-metre project transformed a former metal workshop in the ground floor and basement of a housing building in Paris into living units.

The studio's aim was to integrate the right typologies to transform the lower parts of the building into pleasant housing and to densify a building by the bottom and not, like it is often the case, by the upper part.

By preserving the traces of the building, the transformation is enriched with internal courtyards, patios and green infills to create a playful living units. 

To achieve a close connection between inside and outside, the architects designed a large void at the core of the building, which increases the possibility of openings and promotes social relations among their users, and the presence of greenery. 

They designed three living units, one of them is used as an architectural office, all these living units take advantage of their specific position inside the building.

The first apartment at the lower level looks at the courtyard and its main living spaces are organized in U shape around it. Through high and large openings, the inhabitants benefit of luminosity and crossed views between each part of the apartment.

The architectural office is given an independent entrance, which is placed in the upper level, and the office is connected by an open staircase which is, at the same time, leading to a rooftop terrace.

The second apartment unit is located between the street and the courtyard. Its design ensures the transparency between those two façades, while the third one is a multi-oriented, L shape plan unit, developed in several levels with two terraces taking benefit of long views towards inner block vegetation.

By creating large openings, the units are opened up with views, and sections of the terraces that are made to ensure maximum light and intimacy to each inhabitant.

"The construction work has been developed in the very constraining site of the existing building," said YUA studio d'architecture.

"A puzzle has been generated to adapt the existing levels of the common staircase and the existing concrete structure with the constructive elements for the new apartments, improving the environmental impact of the project. New and existing structure cohabitates."

The architects paid attention to details and material choice to adapt the building to the industrial history of the project. They used raw materials as much as possible such as oak, corten steel, birch plywood, concrete, and terrazzo are used on walls and floors. 

In some cases, those surfaces have continuity between interior and exterior spaces to erase their limits and to promote exterior livability linked with the presence of vegetation.

Basement floor plan

Ground floor plan

First floor plan

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Project facts

Project name: Housing and Ateliers in Rue Polonceau

Architects: YUA studio d'architecture

Location: Paris, France 

Size: 280m2 

Date: 2021

All images © Luis Díaz Díaz

> via YUA studio d'architecture