3 Houses in Colombes by NOVO architectures

Located in Colombes, France, northeast of Paris, the 3 Houses project by NOVO architectures demonstrates how thoughtful design can address the challenges of urban densification while preserving landscape quality and neighborhood identity. Designed by lead architects Simon Barthelemy and Iliana Genova, the project spans 400 m² and was completed in 2022, with striking architectural photography by David Foessel.

Context and Urban Challenges

The houses are situated on rue Beausejour, in a district defined by narrow strip plots. The site measures just 9.5 meters in width and 60 meters in length, accessible only from one side. This typology reflects the increasing densification of Paris’s suburban municipalities, where land is progressively divided for new housing.

Urban planning regulations encourage densification but also impose vehicle access requirements for each dwelling, often resulting in intrusive service roads that threaten the natural character of existing plots. NOVO architectures’ challenge was to design three houses that balance profitability, architectural quality, and landscape preservation.

Integration with the Surrounding Architecture

The project draws inspiration from the district’s historic houses. Similar to its neighbors, the design emphasizes verticality—a necessity due to the floodplain context near the Seine, where raised ground floors are traditional.

Distinctive attic levels with expansive roofs and loggias frame distant landscape views, while brick facades echo the local building tradition. The simplicity of the design—free of moldings—highlights the technical elements such as chimneys, gutters, and roof outlets as subtle decorative details.

The material palette is intentionally monochrome:

• White bricks for lower levels
• White plaster coating for attic levels
• Pre-patinated light gray zinc for roofs
• White hardware details

This restrained approach enhances the surrounding natural colors—lush greens in summer and warm ochres in autumn—allowing the architecture to coexist harmoniously with its landscape.

Landscape and Biodiversity Preservation

One of the project’s main ambitions was to maintain the biodiversity of the site, one of the few undeveloped plots left in the district. Existing plantings were preserved wherever possible, and the service road was designed with planted surfaces to soften its impact.

Each house includes a private garden, complemented by a shared central garden that fosters community interaction. Masonry boundary walls were retained but strategically opened to allow the free passage of animals and plant species. Within the plot, fences are designed as openwork structures, encouraging climbing vegetation. Importantly, 40% of the site remains unbuilt and permeable, reinforcing ecological value.

Architectural Significance

The 3 Houses project is an example of how contemporary housing can densify urban areas without compromising ecological and social values. By integrating local architectural traditions, adopting a monochrome material palette, and prioritizing biodiversity, NOVO architectures created a project that is both modern and deeply contextual.

All Photographs are works of David Foessel