Avenier Cornejo Architectes

Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel

Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© David Foessel

Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel 

Avenier Cornejo Architectes + Chartier Dalix Architectes

MANUFACTURERS
Tecu®

YEAR
2013

LOCATION
Paris, France

CATEGORY
Hostel, Kindergarten

The new RIVP (Paris public housing agency) building houses three services: a hostel for immigrants, a hostel for young workers, a 66 place day-care on the ground floor, as well as communal facilities.

Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© David Foessel
Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© Luc Boegly

Located in Paris’ 20th arrondissement, just beyond the beltway, it is both Parisian and Lilasian. The building’s almost unique location in Paris makes it a concrete symbol of the reconnection between the two areas.

The building is part of an area undergoing immense change: the beltway, which is partially covered and lies just to the west, the site's sloping topography, the art-house cinema and experimental platform. The building plays with all of these elements, using them as new reference points.

Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© Luc Boegly
Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© Luc Boegly
Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© Luc Boegly

SERVICES AND ARCHITECTURE

The structure’s homogeneity is a reply to the building’s symbolic nature; it is visible from the area’s new public spaces.

The high density of the services offered translates into very carefully planned housing, and is offset by two breaks, which divide the building both horizontally and vertically, and increase the value of the compact spaces.

The third floor is open, and has a view of Paris. This is a common space for residents, where they can access all the community services provided.

Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© Samuel Lehuède
Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© Luc Boegly
Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© Samuel Lehuède

A vertical rift, which is a source of light for the circulations and faces the street, offering a visual link between hostel life and the area around it

THE HOSTEL

The hostel’s common amenities (media centre, sport hall, group kitchen, etc.) are all located on one level (third floor).

This area offers the two hostels’ residents the possibility to “live together.” It allows them to get to know each other as they participate in different activities.

Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© Luc Boegly
Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© Samuel Lehuède

The goal of mixing diverse groups together has real meaning here. It brings the client’s main ambition of bringing different hostels together under one roof to life.

Complementing the horizontal break, the vertical rift hollows out the building (on Rue du Docteur Gley), channelling natural light into the circulations and the urban space, creating areas for people to come together and relax on each floor. It also creates a break in the rhythm of the 30 flat per floor distribution.

Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© Luc Boegly
Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© Luc Boegly

THE DAY-CARE

Located entirely on the ground floor, it faces south. The rooms enjoy generous light and extend to the outside play areas. An aerial canopy made from a light metallic mesh covers the play areas, giving a sense of protection without blocking any light. A combination of delicate and rustic plants borders the playground.

THE FLATS

Within the hostel, the flat “type” is designed to make maximum use of the space available, and to provide a flexible living area. The architect designed furniture has been custom made. Shutters mean the kitchenette can be closed off, and the table contains built in drawers.

Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© Samuel Lehuède
Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© Samuel Lehuède

There are two sleeping options, either a pull-out bed or a trundle bed. A bench and wardrobe are also designed to maximise space and comfort, while the bathrooms are naturally lit using a light well.

FACADES AND BUILDING MATERIALS

The entire building is covered with a homogeneous skin. Referencing the buildings around the outskirts of Paris (low cost housing), the choice of authentic materials makes a link with a characteristic era of RIVP construction. The building is faced in brick, which is long lasting and easy to maintain. The bricks have been placed using a square edged joint cut, and are handmade.

Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© Luc Boegly
Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© Samuel Lehuède

This semi-industrial manufacturing method gives the brick infinite shades in its anthracite tones. In order to bring out the sensual pleasure of this material, the two caesuras are dressed in copper. The luminosity and reflective quality of this material contrast with the velvety texture of the dark brick.

The building’s rounded edges are dressed in brick, and the successive setting back of floors 7, 8, and 9 from the building’s base frees the up space for some small terraces in varnished aluminium.

Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© Samuel Lehuède
Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© Luc Boegly
Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© Samuel Lehuède

The building’s compactness has allowed for mostly 2x2 m windows for each studio, which are on average 18m²

ENERGY

Two wind turbines are installed on the roof. They supply the day-care during the day and the hostel at night. This choice of energy supply, still in its infancy in an urban setting, is particularly justified here.

The building is located in an elevated position and is in a wind corridor. Solar panels located on the roof meet 30% of the building’s energy needs.

Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© Samuel Lehuède


Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© Luc Boegly
Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
© Luc Boegly


Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
Section AA
Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
North Elevation


Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
Ground Floor Plan
Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
Floor Plan
Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
Site Plan
Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
Floor Plan
Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
Location


Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
Distribution of Departments
Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
A4 Chambre Type
Day-Care And Young Workers Hostel
Diagram

Avenier Cornejo Architectes
T +33 1 45233312
Avenier Cornejo Architectes
80 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010 Paris, France