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" _# o" C, L) S% _; r1 D. J) x[tr][td]Passage de la Brie Housing by Explorations Architecture
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French studio Explorations Architecture have completed a social housing block beside one of the narrowest streets in Paris.

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The five-storey building provides eighteen apartments in a rundown neighbourhood in the centre of the city.
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% [& Y# S+ v" ?1 W% W! _2 DTimber box-frame windows are staggered across a white stucco exterior to maximise natural light into each flat.
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Timber-lined balconies occupy recesses in the facade and overlook a shared courtyard.

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0 R. _- b4 O2 e% T- GPhotography is by [url=http://www.micheldenance.com/]Michel Denancé.
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: A# k% i$ \. I4 C" b* U  iHere’s a few more words from the architects:
‘Passage de la Brie’ Housing by Explorations Architecture
Explorations architecture has just completed a high density social housing project in the ‘Passage de la brie’ in downtown historic Paris (19ème arrondissement).
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The Passage de la brie is one of the narrowest street in Paris (only 4m across).

In 2005, Explorations won the competition to redevelop what had become a real slum in the middle of the City. It took 6 years to complete due to complex planning and construction issues.
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The scheme is a contemporary variation on the “immeuble parisien de faubourg” with its white stucco and timber windows. The windows seem randomly arranged in order to maximize views and lighting.Design team: Explorations architecture + Integrale 4 engineersClient: City of Paris (Siemp)Brief: 18 apartments
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7 N9 `9 ^8 f% ENet Area: 2000 m²

Cost: 3m