The “Grand Paris” development project is under way, and we find ourselves at the heart of the opportunities it offers.

Télécom ParisTech is one of France’s most prestigious “grande école” higher education establishments. It was founded in 1878, and in 1934 moved to its current location on Rue Barrault, in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, on a site formerly occupied by the Neyret glove factory on the western edge of the Butte-aux-Cailles district.
Telecom Paris Tech is now set to become part of Université Paris-Saclay. Its buildings are due to move to the Saclay site in 2019.

The Rue Barrault site, recently acquired by RIVP, now offers a wonderful opportunity for rehabilitation and urban and social regeneration, modernising existing heritage and transforming a site through a mixed programme combining teaching and research facilities with offices and social housing (for families and students).

Our project aims to renovate and transform two buildings previously for teaching and research into accommodation, with plans for around one hundred social housing units and 26 intermediate units for families.
Transforming buildings once dedicated to education, strongly distinctive of the architectural style prominent at the time of their construction, is not a process than can be undertaken suddenly. The gradual transition to contemporary standards of comfort must be achieved in a way that respects the original architecture and construction qualities.
This is why we will be looking to preserve and take advantage of the existing styles, as we design the new housing.

Incidentally, the requirement to ensure that this renovation project respects the architectural heritage of the buildings means that the homes created cannot have balconies or loggias. However, the green roof terraces offer endless possibilities! These magnificent spaces, which we intend to make accessible to all via stairs and elevators, will become home to gardens, vegetable patches and communal activities.

Of course, the projects and the low-environmental impact worksite practices must take account of the neighbouring Villa Daviel, an exceptional and sensitive site.