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Cité manifeste, Lacaton & Vassal Architectes, Mulhouse, France, 2005

Courtesy © Lacaton & Vassal

During the Industrial Revolution, the SOMCO association was founded in Mulhouse to address workers’ residential issues. In 1853, it built terraced houses with gardens on single lots, with an average apartment size of 47 square metres, designed by engineer Émile Müller. The Cité manifeste was the first workers’ estate in France, and by the end of the 19th century it comprised 1,240 residential units on 60 hectares. On its 150th anniversary, SOMCO decided to adapt the estate to the needs of the new residents and the requirements of community housing, producing high-quality apartments for averageincome residents. Poitevin-Reynaud, Lewis-Potin & Block, Ban-de Gastines and Ateliers Jean Nouvel were invited to participate, along with our office. Together we worked on the development of the former Schoettlé grounds, each team having a long, narrow lot at its disposal. Altogether, 61 new apartments were built. Our experience guided us in constructing more spacious, open, free, bright, comfortable and cost-effective apartments than conventional residences.

Cité manifeste, Lacaton & Vassal Architectes, Mulhouse, France, 2005

Courtesy © Lacaton & Vassal

We started from a simple and functional shell-shaped structure, whose volume was then divided into individual apartments. The ground floor consists of a three-metre-high ferro-concrete structure and generous openable glazing. Behind the glass doors, special curtains combining insulation and external aluminium tissue contribute to thermal comfort. The structure also includes a greenhouse, part of which is insulated and can be heated, and the other part has been left as a winter garden. These two parts are divided by openable interior glass elements. Automatic ventilation flaps on the roof regulate the interior climate, while horizontal interior shading elements provide additional comfort. Stretching along the whole width of the tract, all of the apartments have two levels: a large area on the ground floor and a small one on the upper floor, or vice-versa. 
(from the architects’ project description)

Cité manifeste, Lacaton & Vassal Architectes, Mulhouse, France, 2005

Courtesy © Lacaton & Vassal

Cité manifeste, Lacaton & Vassal Architectes, Mulhouse, France, 2005

Courtesy © Lacaton & Vassal

Cité manifeste, Lacaton & Vassal Architectes, Mulhouse, France, 2005

Courtesy © Lacaton & Vassal

Cité manifeste, Lacaton & Vassal Architectes, Mulhouse, France, 2005

Courtesy © Lacaton & Vassal

Cité manifeste, Lacaton & Vassal Architectes, Mulhouse, France, 2005

Courtesy © Lacaton & Vassal

Cité manifeste, Lacaton & Vassal Architectes, Mulhouse, France, 2005

Courtesy © Lacaton & Vassal

Cité manifeste, Lacaton & Vassal Architectes, Mulhouse, France, 2005

Courtesy © Lacaton & Vassal

Cité manifeste, Lacaton & Vassal Architectes, Mulhouse, France, 2005

Courtesy © Lacaton & Vassal

Cité manifeste, Lacaton & Vassal Architectes, Mulhouse, France, 2005

Courtesy © Lacaton & Vassal

Cité manifeste, Lacaton & Vassal Architectes, Mulhouse, France, 2005

Courtesy © Lacaton & Vassal

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