Architettura

30 Social Housing Units. LAN Architecture

Paris - Secteur Frequel - Fontarabie, France

Design intentions
The project is a commission from OPAC {Paris public planning and construction department}, the largest public housing agency in France, for low budget and ecological dwellings, achieving precise social criteria and representing a pioneering approach taken to sustainable development in terms of layout. The housing complex we designed for the site consists of 4 separates buildings, disposed around a central green area. Buildings provide a number of alternative choices of apartment’s types and, in this respect, can be seen to be an assemblage of individual dwellings rather than buildings containing a certain number of apartments. A specific design, declinable for every plot, made-to-measure, responding to required environmental purposes and composing volumetric variations continuing adjacent surroundings. All of the housing projects are the result of a delicate work of “filtration”: protection from urban noise, openness toward the blocks, orientation according to the position of the sun, orientation of the site. The degree of privacy, a clear spatial organisation and the quality of the interior spaces were also ensured, as well as intellectual, emotional and physical access.










LAN Architecture
LAN (Local Architecture Network) was created by Benoît Jallon and Umberto Napolitano in 2002, with the idea of exploring architecture as an area of activity at the intersection of several disciplines. This attitude has developed into a methodology enabling LAN to explore new territories and forge a vision encompassing social, urban, functional and formal questions. LAN’s projects seek to find elegant, contemporary answers to creative and pragmatic concerns.

LAN has received several awards: the Nouveaux Albums de la Jeune Architecture (NAJA) prize awarded by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication (2004); the International Architecture Award from the Chicago Athenaeum and the European Urban Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies, the Archi-Bau Award, the Special Prize at the 12th World Triennale of Architecture, Sofia (2009); the AR Mipim Future Projects Award and the Europe 40 Under 40 Award (2010). In 2011 the office was awarded at the LEAF Awards with the Best Sustainable Development in Keeping with its Environment prize and at the SAIE Selection Awards.

Benoit Jallon
18th May 1972 Grenoble (fr)
Fascinated by the body’s structure with its logical organisation, layers and strata, Benoit Jallon first turned to medical studies. However, his need for involvement and creativity soon led him to begin studying architecture. He graduated from the Villette School of Architecture in 2001 with a special mention from the jury. Curiosity and a thirst for knowledge have led him to travel widely, particularly in Italy.

Umberto Napolitano
27th November 1975 Naples (it)
Umberto Napolitano began his architectural studies in Italy and completed them in France at the Villette School of Architecture where he graduated in 2001 with a special mention from the jury. He rapidly developed a critical approach to the separation between theory and practice. In parallel with his architectural education, he also worked with a number of architects. His involvement in Franco-American workshops has given his work an international flavour and allowed him to absorb other cultures and skills.