32 Social Housing Units in Chevreuse by Atelier Téqui Architects

Located in the picturesque Chevreuse Valley, France, the 32 Social Housing Units designed by Atelier Téqui Architects represent a contemporary and sensitive response to the challenges of topography, community living, and sustainable urban development. Completed in 2014, this project not only enhances the architectural landscape but also redefines the relationship between collective housing and its natural environment.

A Design Rooted in Landscape and Context

The project site, marked by a distinct slope, presented unique challenges. Instead of resisting the terrain, the architects embraced it by breaking down the building volumes into horizontal strata. This approach creates a stepped architectural language that integrates seamlessly with the hillside while opening new perspectives from the street toward the Yvette River.

At the base of the complex lies a mineral plinth, inspired by the robust stone basement walls common in the Chevreuse Valley. This foundation anchors the structure, serving as both a buttress to the hill and a strong visual base. From Rue Fabre d’Eglantine, the mineral base provides a horizontal path leading directly to the entrances of the housing blocks, merging built form with the natural topography.

Functional Layers and Material Expression

Above the stone base, a metallic interstice wraps the ground-floor facades, encompassing building halls and communal premises. This deliberate architectural treatment not only creates a visual rhythm but also guides residents along their daily pathways. The interstice culminates in a belvedere garden, offering panoramic views over the valley—a collective balcony that strengthens the sense of community.

The upper levels of the buildings are clad with openwork vertical wooden slats. These screens cover balconies, landings, and stairways, allowing natural light to filter in while maintaining privacy. The interplay of materials—stone, metal, and wood—creates a layered dialogue between solidity and lightness, permanence and transparency.

Prioritizing Quality of Life

Each of the 32 housing units is designed with comfort and livability at its core. Every apartment benefits from a private outdoor space, with views extending toward the Yvette River and optimal southern orientation for natural light. Ground-floor apartments open onto terraces and private gardens, while upper-level units enjoy generous balconies.

Privacy is thoughtfully maintained through a landscape design of hedges and green fences, which softly separates private areas from collective pathways without imposing rigid boundaries. The result is a harmonious blend of individual privacy and community interaction, with shared pedestrian paths and collective green spaces promoting social connection.

A Balance Between Collective and Individual Identity

The 32 Social Housing Units balance the scale of communal architecture with the intimacy of personal living. By layering volumes, integrating outdoor spaces, and using natural materials, Atelier Téqui Architects achieved a design that feels both rooted in the valley’s heritage and forward-looking in its approach to sustainable housing.

The project is more than just a housing development—it is a model of social housing architecture that respects its environment, enhances community life, and sets a precedent for future urban development in sloped and sensitive landscapes. With its sustainable materials, thoughtful design, and integration with nature, the Chevreuse housing project demonstrates how architecture can foster dignity, connection, and belonging in collective living spaces.

All the photographs are works of Sergio Grazia