The new 24-unit social housing building, designed by Prinvault Architectes, aims to enhance the neighbourhood's resilience through its design. To this end, it has a constructed area of 1,140 m² and houses eighteen one-bedroom apartments, six three-bedroom apartments, and a commercial space. The architectural program is organized into two areas linked by a central walkway and a staircase.
The building's main facade, facing the street, is constructed using brick to subtly integrate it into its surroundings. Interior spaces, on the other hand, feature stained concrete and metal partitions.
24 Social Housing Units by Prinvault Architectes. Photograph by Nicolas Trouillard.
Project description by Prinvault Architectes
In Vincennes (Greater Paris), Prinvault Architectes (François Prinvault) delivered a project in 2025 for LogiRep (Polylogis Group). The project comprises 24 social housing units and a commercial space, aligned along two streets. The total built area is 1,140 m² (sale price). Construction cost: €3.64 million (excluding VAT).
This project (18 one-bedroom apartments, 6 three-bedroom apartments, and a commercial space) aligns with the City Council's objective of further expanding its social housing stock, which increased from 5% in 2002 to 12% in 2025. The project is situated within a dense urban fabric dating from the early 20th century, characterized by a mix of setback single-family homes and five-story buildings constructed along the street line. The project's main challenge was ensuring alignment with Diderot and Jarry streets to strengthen urban continuity, while maintaining a building depth compatible with the creation of high-quality housing.
The solution lies in a two-part design joined by a central walkway and staircase, a solution that allows for a play between interior and exterior architectural expressions. On the street side, the brick facades, with their "geartooth" patterns alternating between diagonal sections and straight beams, draw inspiration from Vincennes' architectural heritage and harmoniously integrate the buildings into the local context. In contrast, the bright interior spaces are treated in a contemporary style with patterned stained concrete and metal partitions.
