French Architecture: Hamonic + Masson Designs 156 Student Residences

In recent years, businesses like the architecture firm Hamonic + Masson & Associés actively lobbied to enable the City of Lights to grow upward, reflecting its rising population. Their efforts proved successful. The company is now an icon of french architecture.

This time around, the french practice Hamonic + Masson has completed the design of an eight storey building that contains 156 student residences, in Boulogne-Billancourt, in the suburbs of Paris. With a gross floor area of 3,200 sqm and a cost of €4.5 million HT, this is a project that includes 156 student dwellings and parking.

The building’s design was guided by the principles of standardization, self-regulation and a maximization of internal space. The scheme, which takes up almost the entire plot, has been dubbed the ‘golden cube’ — a name which refers to its shimmering façades.

Each unit has an external balcony with pleasant external views across the surrounding area. On the other hand, the building’s outline is blurred by the use of filters, water effects and openings in the perforated sheets of steel.

Developed in collaboration with project coordinators Loci Anima, the scheme includes a ‘secret garden’, encouraging interaction and a sense of community among residents. This aspect of the scheme also promotes biodiversity, with a range of native vegetation planted on site.

While the look of the building’s exterior was obviously important, Hamonic + Masson sought innovation inside the structure, as well. Here we can see a balcony overlooking the passing street, in a yellow mustard color scheme.

Large balconies and windows give the residences a soft and airy design. The building’s outline is blurred by the use of perforated steel sheets.

One of the goals that guided Hamonic + Masson throughout the design process was a desire to emphasize light. As the sun moves across the sky above Paris, it will always be shining into some of the apartments in the building because of their varied orientations. A beautiful way of orchestring the architecture!