Client: Paris Habitat

Programme: Renovation, while occupied, of the Molitor residence (15 stairwells + a car park), improvement of outdoor areas and the quality of communal areas and services.

Surface Area: 13 265m² SDP + 1730 m² d’espaces extérieurs

Budget: 8M € + VAT

Certification et labels: HQE

Engineering: B27-Codibat
Landscape: Vincent Lion paysage

 

The Molitor residence, located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, was an iconic HBM complex from the 1930s. Listed in several heritage protection areas, close to major historical monuments such as the Molitor swimming pool, the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil and works by Le Corbusier, it has a unique urban and heritage value.

 

Organised around a vast mineral block centre, the complex comprises fifteen stairwells, two hundred and sixty-four dwellings, several concierge offices and shops on the ground floor. Its brick masonry structure, cement render, wooden framework and slate and zinc roofing are evidence of the sober and rigorous architecture typical of its era.

 

Despite being in satisfactory overall condition, the building had limitations due to its age: lack of insulation, inconsistent joinery, inefficient ventilation and insufficient thermal comfort. The inner courtyard, which was entirely mineral, lacked vegetation and contributed to the formation of a heat island, while the service staircases and certain structural elements showed signs of deterioration. The basements, consisting of cellars and a car park covered by the courtyard, revealed problems related to previous water infiltration. The well-designed and spacious dwellings offered an interesting functional layout but now require technical and energy upgrades. As for the common areas, they retain their remarkable architectural quality but need to be adapted to current standards of accessibility, safety and comfort of use.

 

The renovation project aims to improve the comfort and quality of use of the dwellings in a sustainable manner while preserving their architectural character. One of the priorities is to optimise ventilation, which until now has been provided by an inefficient natural system that causes discomfort. The study explores solutions adapted to the existing building, such as the integration of air renewal devices in the joinery or the installation of decentralised dual-flow ventilation units. These systems, which are unobtrusive and energy-efficient, ensure effective ventilation without major work, while improving the thermal and sanitary conditions of the dwellings.

 

The modernisation of wet rooms is also a key issue. Depending on the results of the diagnosis, some bathrooms and kitchens are partially or completely renovated to provide more functional spaces in line with contemporary uses. Particular attention is paid to corner dwellings, whose unique geometry requires specific fittings that optimise space while respecting the client’s budget.

 

The work also includes bringing electrical and gas installations up to standard, ensuring safety and performance. The access control system is being redesigned to incorporate videophone technology and wireless devices adapted to the context of the renovation.

 

The entrance halls, which serve as transition spaces between the street and the dwellings, are being renovated with respect for the existing heritage. Materials and finishes are chosen for their durability and architectural consistency, while letterboxes are repositioned in the entrance halls, accessible to all and compliant with postal standards.

 

Universal accessibility guides all interventions: the levelling of the external walkways is adjusted to ensure step-free access, and the specific needs of residents with disabilities are taken into account from the outset. Appropriate renovations are planned, particularly in the ground floor flats.

 

Landscaping project

 

The landscaping project adopts a biophilic and sustainable approach, focused on residents’ comfort and quality of use. It transforms the outdoor spaces into a green and harmonious living environment, promoting biodiversity, well-being and climate resilience.

 

The redevelopment focuses on the inner courtyard, which until now has been entirely mineral, to turn it into a real place of respite and conviviality. Around a central axis connecting the courtyard to Boulevard Murat, the composition articulates fluid and hierarchical circulation patterns, accompanied by large planted beds that redesign the pathways and structure the common areas. The technical constraints of the basement slab have led to the use of semi-intensive vegetation consisting of sedums, perennials and small shrubs, creating a variety of atmospheres depending on the exposure.

 

The new plantings reduce urban heat islands and improve climate quality, while a central cooling island, decorated with tree planters, becomes a space for relaxation and interaction between residents. The parking lot’s protrusions are clad in metal structures supporting climbing plants, promoting vegetative continuity and landscape integration. Lighter-coloured, permeable mineral surfaces limit heat retention while improving user comfort and accessibility.

 

On the street side, the interventions remain understated and respectful of the existing character: the paving has been redone to correct subsidence and ensure universal accessibility to the halls. New mixed hedges and additional plantings enrich the vegetation, enhancing biodiversity and preserving the privacy of the ground floor dwellings.

 

The renovation of the Molitor residence is thus part of a desire to strike a balance between memory and modernity, architectural continuity and environmental innovation, offering its residents a sustainable, comfortable and harmonious living environment that remains faithful to the original spirit while responding to contemporary challenges.