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ARCHIVE 2017
Centre Social Associatif (Community Centre): Maison 13 Solidaire
Architects: Augustin Faucheur Architecte + MUZ Architecture (Chloé Duflos – Augustin Cornet)
General engineer: BCCB
Timber engineer: Arpent
Cost of works: 1.3 M€ (before tax)
Surface: 456 m² NFA / 382.3 m² UFA
Address: 13 rue Annie Girardot – 75013 Paris
Construction period: June 2013 – Delivery: Janvier 2015
Contractors: SEE Simeoni (main contractor), Barcque Chapentes (carpenter)
Foreword: A landmark interlinking two neighbourhoods
This Community Centre is a small-scale project that has met challenges from an architectural, urban, engineering and social point of view. Built on top of an existing tunnel above the abandoned tracks of the Petite Ceinture de Paris railway, the building enjoys a pivotal position between two neighbourhoods which the urban development area (ZAC) of the Gare de Rungis is aiming to link up. However, its location is somewhat paradoxical for, although it is highly visible and enjoys a spectacular view onto the Petite Ceinture, it can only be accessed from a narrow ramp bordering a sports ground. Therefore, the building must constitute both an urban and social link. As our response to the situation, we suggest that on this foundation a building should be installed that fully embraces its role as a landmark, weaving together two neighbourhoods: a building that no matter its limited size, delivers an unmistakeable statement.
A unit volume conforming to the site's constraints:
The plot is crossed diagonally by a no construction zone. The Centre's singular volume folds itself to fit beneath this area and to provide each space with an appropriate ceiling height. In addition, the new building is closely aligned with an existing stone base, so as to incorporate a greater distance from the sports ground opposite and to accommodate a large and welcoming public forecourt.
A solid wood panel structure erected in just 6 days
The Community Centre is a completely dry construction made of 120 solid plywood panels (walls, flooring, cover) to be assembled on site in just 6 days.
This type of light, prefabricated construction has permitted to:
- Design a complex geometry which eases into an overall shape facing very challenging boundary setbacks. - Offer a light structure capable of fitting above an existing railway tunnel originally designed to support an evenly distributed load of 0.7 t/m².
- Provide large spans without visible beams
- Meet the clean-site, low-nuisance policy in a location where various activities co-exist simultaneously.
A large double-oriented area between forecourt and horizon
Drawing on the railway imagery inherent to the site, and especially that of the points system, we created a large double-oriented area which restores to the forecourt an horizon that faces the Petite Ceinture. This provides a large living space into which all the community centre's activities are directed.
Flexible and multipurpose activity rooms
Since the community centre should be adaptable, we suggested open spaces to facilitate different uses.
Foldaway and glazed walls allow for the hall space to be extended in order to host major events and exhibitions.
Interior environment: calm and welcoming, exposed wood….
Building opened onto the neighbourhood and its inhabitants: large, open windows
To highlight the Community Centre’s commitment to openness, we designed large window openings that showcase the Centre's activities and create transparency.
Fifth façade to extend the Centre's activities
The Centre offers the surrounding buildings a view of its large flowing roof structure, which gives insight into the internal spatial organisation. The newly planted area provides continuity with the Petite Ceinture and the public garden while the accessible terrace creates an additional space, a fifth façade which extends the Centre's uses.
Aluminium skin: a tribute to the Petite Ceinture's imagery
The Community Centre is a dry, timber frame construction, which was rapidly installed on site with prefabricated parts. To mark the building's connection with the unique imagery of the Petite Ceinture, its unit volume is highlighted with a perforated copper skin which extends to become the roof. When night falls, the building becomes a light box breathing life into neighbouring streets as well as into the garden.
The City of Paris' Climate Plan
The building meets the low-energy-building (BBC) performance criteria and the City of Paris' Climate Plan with an energy performance of 49.67 kWh/m²/year. The heating is produced through an air-to-water heat pump and a heat recovery ventilation system.
Collaborative work
This project is based on a collaborative work method - a Building Information Modelling (BIM) - between architecture agencies and a wood design office in order to create a structure with solid wood panels.
To set up a complex geometry able to ease into a structural clearance profile facing very challenging boundary setbacks, the project was entirely designed in 3D by incorporating structural and technical constraints from the outset. With this 3D model, the wood design office was able to define the cutting of the cross-laminated timber panels, with technical resquests and assemblies, and to determine the number of lorries needed to deliver the panels.
