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Belleville is a small collective housing building located at one of Paris entrances, along the infrastructural artery that connects the north eastern suburbs to the center of Paris. The building contains four rental apartments, and a commercial ground floor. The neighborhood is undergoing important mutations due to a recent cover of the nearly situated ring road and the arrival of a tram line. The project had to face a fascinating but difficult context; a small noisy and oddly shaped infill plot, positioned on a busy street. The urban tissue is dense and heterogeneous with neighboring buildings dating from different eras.

In order to save resources the existing concrete structure of a former two floor building that occupied the site were maintained and reinforced. To keep the construction loads down a light prefabricated wooden structure was developed for the top three levels. This structural choice also facilitated supplies to the site, which is difficult to access, and optimized the construction time.

The building provides a solid and comfortable basis for its inhabitants. The apartments profit from double exposure and enjoy outdoor spaces directed on the calmer backyard. With regular generously proportioned windows, the facade is intended as a reinterpretation of the classic Parisian Haussmann typology but adapted to current uses. The first two levels are clad in enameled bricks in a light grey tone, playing with the light of the Parisian sky.

The project advocates a strong desire of architecture for all. The plans of the apartments strive to offer quality, functional spaces to its inhabitants and make them profit from light, natural ventilation and generous views. The materials are basic and easy to maintain. Kitchens are open to the entrances and the living room. The living room can be extended by a sliding door leading to the bedroom. This desire of architecture for all is also reflected in the façade expression that is kept simple and avoids the addition of any spectacular façade components.