The renovation of the housing and interior of the block on Rue de la Savonnerie is a tremendous opportunity to undertake an ambitious and exemplary renovation of social housing in a mixed-use neighborhood undergoing rapid change. In the short term, by “de-densifying” the number of housing units and redeveloping the central block, the project offers new opportunities in terms of access, porosity, appropriation of spaces, and community living, which go hand in hand with neighboring projects currently under development. In the long term, the renovation is capable of supporting and anticipating future changes in the neighborhood. One of the project's key ambitions is to consider the entire life cycle of materials and limit demolition.
The renovation is therefore being carried out in line with previous work: preservation of the high-quality structural masonry walls from the 1930s and the elevator shaft structures from the 1980s, dismantling of non-load-bearing partitions, staircases, and balconies, addition of a new rear facade that combines circulation areas and a terrace, and reuse of pergola elements as a garden pavilion. In particular, the rear façade is designed as a new interface between the apartments and the communal garden. It brings together different moments in the lives of the residents: coming home, meeting neighbors on the landing, seeing guests arrive while cooking, enjoying the sun on the terrace at the end of the day. It is made of lacquered metal and is designed as a removable structure that can be completely dismantled and recycled for future use of the building.