Metropolitan — Vincent Lavergne

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283 housing units constructed in solid stone and timber structure

A central rift to allow sunlight to penetrate, create a public square, and showcase the retail spaces.

Enhancing natural sunlight for the housing units and allowing multiple orientations for the terraces.

Combining structural systems of solid stone, concrete frame, and timber framework.

The development marks a major gateway into the city for the Rosny territory, located within a comprehensive development zone (ZAC) dominated by the Beauclair hillside—a natural horizon at the scale of the metropolis.

Along Lisbonne Street, the alignment of the existing buildings had previously kept the street in the shade. The project introduces a rift in this northern facade to allow sunlight to penetrate: a simple idea that transforms both the site’s urban conditions and the quality of the housing units. This central rift carves out a private interior courtyard with a southern exposure. On either side, cascading terraces compose a landscape of hanging gardens that echoes the hillside—a succession of stepped green decks that softens the perception of height, even as the project culminates at 13 stories (Ground + 12).

At ground level, stone plinths of varying heights negotiate the topography. Moving up the hillside, timber buildings set upon these plinths are revealed, bordered by wide balconies. This dialogue between solid stone and timber framework revives traditional techniques, updated by recent advancements in timber construction.

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