Concept
The project is situated in Rue des Poissonniers in Paris, a working-class district for the last 150 years due to the proximity of major rail infrastructure, and characterised by important industrial structures and large residential blocks.
The project, the form of which is influenced by the lofty rail workshops formerly occupying the area, is inserted into a dense urban fabric, which it transforms and opens outwards. The aim is to provide a new vantage point for Parisians offering views of the city and its rooftops.
Commercial outlets, forming the base of the building, are remodelled giving a greater porosity of the frontages at street level and contributing towards a different perception of the public realm.
The level just above the base of the building, is kept transparent in order to detach the upper storeys from the base, and to enhance the experience of a belvedere overlooking the street.
The linear nature of the project is interrupted opposite Rue Simplon, generating a new perspective and drawing people in to discover the local community, its bars, restaurants, and the balcony terraces of the new building, which promise to become a popular new go-to spot in the area.
A combination of proximity, social interaction, well-being, pedagogy and sustainability results in a project where biodiversity goes hand-in-hand with conviviality. Advantage is made of the roof terrace, with the creation of a natural landscape of open grassland and groups of trees. Different activities and uses accompany a promenade route through this landscape. The ‘spot’ consists of a bar and tiered seating for impromptu concerts and mini-exhibitions, and games including boules, molki and giant chess. The ‘planches’ is an open deck area with deckchairs but also ideal for the practice of taï chi, pilates and Swedish Fit. The ‘pousses and saveurs’ is the name given to a collectively-managed fruit and vegetable garden, and a place to relax and enjoy the smell of herbs.
Program
The project brief includes a hotel, an apartment hotel, and a youth hostel totalling 700 beds.
Team
Client
– Client developer: Nexity
– Owner: Multivest
Project Design Team
– Architect team representative: Arte Charpentier Architectes
Project specifics
– Title: Ictus – youth hostel
– Address: 96 rue des Poissonniers
– Postcode: 75018
– Town: Paris
– Competition: October 2016
– Programme: Hotel, apartment hotel, 700-bed youth hostel.
– Area: 21 300 m²
Photo credits: DR Arte Charpentier Architectes
