Concept
The site is situated in the commune of Saint Ouen to the North of Paris, in proximity to the town hall. It is bordered to the East by the docks promenade, a tree-lined pedestrian shopping esplanade, by Rue Simone Veil to the North, by Rue des Bateliers to the West, and by Rue Pablo Picasso on the southern edge.
The new residential development creates an extension of the docks eco-district and aims to breathe life back into a run-down area, improving the quality of the living environment, providing public facilities and good public transport services.
The project is defined by the two adjacent major urban axes and locks into the urban edge lining these routes. The articulation of the building fronts, aligned with, or recessed back from, the street, creates a dynamic rhythm of vertical bands, giving the impression of a series of individual, interconnected buildings. The massing is further fragmented by the different heights of individual blocks and recessed upper storeys.
In a similar manner to neighbouring blocks, the four corners of the scheme are treated as bookends with double storey attic apartments reinforcing their verticality. Careful attention is given to the orientation and comfort of each apartment, with a large majority benefitting from two, and sometimes three, external walls. Almost all apartments have generous deep balconies or terraces.
Program
The residential scheme consists of 550 apartments including 224 owner-occupied flats, 60 council flats, 150 student flats, a residence for seniors of 96 flats, and communal public facilities and amenities.
Team
Client
– Client: Nexity
Client
– Architect Team Leader: Arte Charpentier Architectes
Project Specifics
– Title: Docks N7
– Address: Zac des Docks
– Postcode: 93 400
– Town: Saint Ouen
– Delivery: ongoing
– Programme: A residential operation comprising 247 owner-occupied flats, 60 council flats and 29 flats for first-time buyers, a senior’s residence of 123 flats with services, public facilities and 579 parking places.
– Area: 33 000 m²
Photo credits: DR Arte Charpentier Architectes
