23 Semi-collective Housing Units / Lacaton & Vassal

Architects: Lacaton & Vassal
Location: Trignac, France
Project Year: 2010
Photographs: Philippe Ruault

Project Area: 2,852 sqm
Client: Silene Saint Nazaire

Our goal is to produce quality housing at low cost.

The idea of the structure, meant to be simple, economical and efficient, was based on on the principle of the loft: a surface of maximum volume, possessing qualities of contrasting and complementary moods.

Both buildings are designed based on this principle:

- A column-beam structure on a concrete level in one building and two levels for the other building.

- Horticultural greenhouses, covering the entire surface of a light, transparent skin, to form the upper floor of each building.

The structure is galvanized steel, clear polycarbonate or natural aluminum.

Part of the greenhouse volume is insulated and heated. The other part is a winter garden with a well-ventilated roof and facade. Horizontal shading takes place inside the greenhouse.

The greenhouse, with its automatic climate management, allows the development of bioclimatic comfort solutions and obtains performance goals for reducing energy consumption.