Tequi Architects revolutionize community living with innovative Coignieres housing project

In Coignieres, France, a rehabilitation and extension project of a social residence with 300 housing units has been completed. The project, carried out by Tequi Architects, involved the renovation of an existing building that was originally built in the 1970s to house migrant workers. The architects aimed to create a more efficient and connected urban environment, while also maintaining the existing building's interesting support for rehabilitation rooms with current comfort standards.

The site, with an area of 11,135 square meters, is located on the border between Coignières and Maurepas and is bordered by a commercial activity area and suburban offices. The rehabilitation and extension project was carried out on an occupied site in four phases to ensure the continued use of the home. The first phase involved the construction of the extension, followed by the rehabilitation of parts of the existing building in phases two and three, and finally, the rehabilitation of the central core of the existing building in phase four.

The extension to the existing building creates a new urban front on the street while maintaining the existing building's characteristics such as the concrete facades, the two colors emphasizing the geometry, and the rigorous composition of the façade. However, the new building differs from the existing one in terms of height, orientation of the built volumes, and window sizes. The new building is constructed of mass-colored white concrete with aluminum joinery and shutters in a warm amber hue that contrasts with the minerality of the cold concrete.

The new entrance hall is located at the interface of the three accommodation wings, equidistant from the bedrooms, and articulates all the collective functions necessary for residents, including social office, laundry, boxes letters, local OM, multipurpose rooms, and reserves of laundry. The hall allows access to naturally lit distributions. The apartments, which are either facing east or west or in a corner situation, are served by two staircases and an elevator present in the extension and three staircases in spiral preserved in the existing one.

Overall, the rehabilitation and extension project of the social residence with 300 housing units in Coignieres has created an efficient and connected urban environment while also maintaining the existing building's characteristics. The project was carried out on an occupied site in several phases, which allowed for the continued use of the home. The new building's construction material and façade design complement the existing building while also creating a distinct identity.