The site benefits from a rich historical and industrial heritage, being located on the side of the Marne River, near the marina. It occupies the site of the former municipal bathing establishment “Banc de sable,” which was also the site of the “Baignade Pathé.” In the immediate vicinity are the former Pathé studios, a listed industrial complex worthy of preservation, as well as the Cité du Cinéma.

Our project seeks to establish a respectful relationship with the redeveloped office building “Les Auditoriums.” This involves, on the one hand, defining a balanced relationship between the volumes aligned with the urban facade, and, on the other, not depriving the offices of their view of the Marne, as much as possible. The main alignment of the new building with this facade is therefore at a greater distance (15 m) than required by regulations.

The relationship with the historic Pathé site and the presence of a common courtyard easement justify our desire to maximize the freedom of this façade by integrating it harmoniously and coherently with the low-rise residential context of the Pathé site.

The program is the soul and essence of the architectural project; it defines the quality of the spaces, the specificity of the architecture, and its physical identity. Indeed, the living and evolving character of a project is defined by the use of the space and its inhabitants.
We organize the horizontal and vertical distribution spaces outside the built volume with cursive lines set far from the façade to maximize the transverse housing units overlooking the Marne, guaranteeing each of them generous outdoor spaces.