Peripheriques: Roller Coaster

Paris-based studio Peripheriques Architectes have designed an apartment complex in Nantes, France. The building is U-shaped, and wraps around a southern-oriented central garden. The shape choice allows the sun to penetrate deeply in the heart of the block, and therefore offers good opportunities to optimize, for views, the orientation of the apartments.

The volume is cut and formed by a series of ramp-like roof surfaces. Like a deployed ribbon, the volume elevates up to 9 levels, before coming down again to the 3rd floor. The highest point is in the North in order not to block the South-West orientation. The monolithic volume is emphasized by pearly shaded "scales", made of lacquered steel, which cover the façades. The colour of the building changes according to the light conditions on the site at at any given time, as well as view angles, going from coloured to uniform grey shades.

The rhythm of the façade is animated by four types of balconies with wood or metal covering. All of the apartments are light, and are easily accessible in the same way that a permeability is designed between the block and the street. Along with the multi-orientated views, all the occupants benefit from an exterior garden space or a loggia/balcony (according to each case) overviewing the garden or the street.