The challenge lay in preserving the traditional mixed-use development of the neighborhood, which has historically brought together private mansion and artisans. The project now combines social housing, offices (an independent movie producer, a theater troupe, a designer, an architect, among others), and shops. It wishes to acknowledge the Marais’ artisanal past while preserving activity in the neighborhood. The project also sought to preserve the existing social fabric by increasing the number of social housing units and significantly improving the comfort of the habitations, all the while observing the City of Paris’ Climate Plan.

The courtyards and the old 17th century passageway have been restored, which has opened the block up again. The project was carried out in two phases at a site that remains inhabited, which demanded considerable dexterity, cooperation, and a full commitment of the heart. Working on heritage buildings is an exceptional adventure and a singular exercise that constantly juggles opposing tendencies that lie at the core of the project: daring and humility, respect and imagination. It’s not just a matter of rehabilitation, but also of reactivation, of continuing to write this ongoing history and trying to anticipate the future.

Program: Rehabilitation and reconstruction of an occupied site to create 30 social-housing units, offices and shops - Client: Élogie Architect: Atelier du Pont Engineering: Parica General contractor: SRC - Specificity: Heritage ‘Plan Climat’ (80 kWh/m²/year) and new (50 kWh/m²/year) Perimeter of the Plan to Protect and Restore the Marais (PSMV) Occupied-site Collective heating system and solar panels on the roof of the new building - Photographs: Frédéric Delangle - Winner of the ArchiDesignClub awards 2015, The Plan awards 2015, the Geste d’Or 2014 and finalist of the Mipim Awards 2016