The Gardens of Gabriel

The project is situated between the end and the beginning of an urban axis of fundamental importance for the whole city because of the forthcoming opening of a major train station for the Grand Paris Line. The trapezoidal shape of the area of the project is particularly evident in aerial images.

A first reflection arises: how to manage this arrangement? How to present the project towards Grésillons Avenue and the train station, since this area represents a structural interface from a functional point of view? How to dilate, in addition to the space already provided, this area and make it a true gateway to the neighbourhood?

The programme consists of 144 affordable housing units and 39 social housing units going from R+1 to R+8, and includes 358 mt. of commercial space. The project’s composition of volumes is divided up into three buildings developed mainly along the length of the RER line C. This segmentation allows for the central section to remain completely visible, a reduction in the number of solely north-facing units and the creation of a supplementary southfacing façade. The different blocks are interlocked, in a way that highlights the unitary elements of the composition and encourages urban diversity.

Architectural and landscape design: Atelier(s) Alfonso Femia (già 5+1AA) | (formerly 5+1AA)
Architects: Alfonso Femia, Simonetta Cenci, Nicola Spinetto
Design team: Etienne Bourdais, Roxana Calugar, Simonetta Cenci, Alfonso Femia, Sara Massa, Marzia Menini, Aude Robert ,Francesca Recagno, Francesca R. Pirrello, Nicola Spinetto, Sara Traverso

Structural engineering: Eiffage Construction
Services engineering: I.D. BATI
Environmental engineering: Eiffage Immobilier IDF
Economy control office: Tohier
Contractor: Eiffage Construction Idf
Project responsible: Aude Robert
Collaborators: Caterina Pini, Vittoria Paternostro, Maud Laronze