Dimitri Roussel of DREAM on why timber architecture must be a revolution

29 Jan 2025  •  Interview  •  By Collin Anderson
Dimitri Roussel of DREAM on why timber architecture must be a revolution
00:00 / 00:00
Welcome to the Archello Podcast, architecture’s most visual podcast series. Listen as Archello's Paris-based Editor in Chief, Collin Anderson, sits down with architects to discuss their careers and projects. Each audio episode is accompanied by a rich visual storyboard which listeners can use to follow the discussion. This episode is made possible by support from Kingspan Group
 
Kingspan Group
Kingspan announces the launch of the 2025 MICROHOME competition with a 100,000 euro prize fund
15 Jan 2025
 •  News
Kingspan announces the launch of the 2025 MICROHOME competition with a 100,000 euro prize fund
Kingspan's MICROHOME 2025 competition, organized by Buildner... More  
MODU completes passive house designed Mini Tower One residence in Brooklyn
24 Jun 2024
 •  News
MODU completes passive house designed Mini Tower One residence in Brooklyn
Brooklyn-based architecture studio More  
Studio Gang unveils a dynamic leaf-shaped residential tower in St Louis that optimizes light and views
13 Jun 2021
 •  News
Studio Gang unveils a dynamic leaf-shaped residential tower in St Louis that optimizes light and views
Overlooking Forest Park in St. Louis, One Hundred is a new residential tower by Studio Gang.  More  
 
 
Introducing Dimitri Roussel, founder of DREAM
In this episode, Archello connects with Dimitri Roussel, founder of DREAM (Dimitri Roussel Ensemble Architecture Métropole), a Paris-based architecture studio blending environmental responsibility with bold, modular design. Known for projects that prioritize both people and the planet, DREAM’s work often showcases innovative use of timber to create sustainable, dynamic buildings.
 
Notable projects include l’Arbre Blanc in collaboration with Sou Fujimoto and the recently completed Athletes Village for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, both of which embody DREAM’s commitment to ecological design and fostering community connections.
 
Listen and scroll as Roussel discusses his founding of DREAM, the office's pioneering use of timber in architecture, and some of the exciting projects taking shape in Paris and elsewhere in France today.
 
 
 
On DREAM's office near Bastille, Paris
The studio located in the Passage du Cheval Blanc, a neighborhood steeped in the history of timber craftsmanship. “We had the opportunity to buy this place after a few years of hard work,” Roussel says as he describes the studio’s home. Situated in Passage du Cheval Blanc, the DREAM office is housed in a 200-year-old building originally used for furniture production. “The passage already had a connection to wood,” he explains. “And at DREAM, we only design wood-structured buildings. It felt like the perfect place for us.”
 
The building itself has become a case study for adaptive reuse. While the first floor serves as the office, the ground level is being transformed into a gallery and project space. “We want to create a space that goes beyond DREAM,” Roussel says. “A place for exhibitions, conferences, and discussions about innovation in architecture and sustainability...When people say wood doesn’t last, I bring them here. This building has stood for over 200 years. It’s a testament to the durability and beauty of timber.”
 
 
 
On transitioning from basketball to architecture
Born in Saint-Étienne, Roussel grew up in a city known more for its industrial roots than for art or architecture. His first passion was basketball, and by the age of 13, he was training in a specialized sports institute. “It was a dream to play at a high level,” he recalls. By 18, Roussel signed a professional contract in France’s second basketball division.
 
But architecture soon captured his imagination. “I fell in love with it during my studies,” he says. Roussel continued to play basketball while pursuing his architectural education, balancing two demanding worlds until his early 30s. “Eventually, it became too much to handle both,” he explains. By the time he retired from professional sports, Roussel had already co-founded an architecture studio and was ready to dedicate himself fully to his second passion.
 
 
 
On L’Arbre Blanc, a project with Sou Fujimoto
One of Roussel's most celebrated projects is L’Arbre Blanc (The White Tree), a bold, 17-story residential tower in Montpellier. Completed in collaboration with Sou Fujimoto, this visually striking building features expansive balconies that branch out like the limbs of a tree. The project began as an open competition, with a brief emphasizing collaboration between an international architect and a young local firm.
 
“We had just started our studio and wanted to do something big,” Roussel recalls. After reaching out to Fujimoto, they formed a partnership and set out to design something extraordinary. “Fujimoto was very open to ideas,” Roussel says. “He wanted to understand the Mediterranean lifestyle and how people in Montpellier live.”
 
Initially, the team envisioned a geometric structure with square balconies. “But Fujimoto suggested making it more organic, more like a tree,” Roussel says. The result was a building with terraces extending up to seven meters, offering residents ample outdoor living space. The deep balconies reduce sun exposure by 25 percent, cutting down on air conditioning needs.
 
 
 
 
On redefining office architecture
Roussel describes the ANIS in Nice as a "manifest project," one that challenged traditional office building conventions. The design externalized all the functional elements—stairs, elevators, and circulation—placing them on the building's exterior. This approach was inspired by the Centre Pompidou and allowed for a dynamic, interactive façade with generous balconies. “We took all the stairs and elevators of an office building and put them outside,” he explains, noting how the outdoor spaces became social areas rather than mere functional components.
 
 
With the added control of an office environment, the project also introduced significant greenery, creating a vibrant and natural aesthetic that complemented the bold architectural moves. This project, undertaken when Roussel was just 29, marked an early exploration of ideas about movement, outdoor connectivity, and the integration of nature—principles that would continue to shape his later work.
 
 
 
 
On designing for Paris' Olympic Village
DREAM’s work on the Athletes Village for the 2024 Paris Olympics represents another milestone for Roussel. Tasked with designing a structure that would house offices during the Games, he faced both technical and creative challenges.
 
“My building was supposed to be in concrete,” Roussel recalls. “But I fought to make it timber.” By negotiating with the developers, Roussel ensured that DREAM’s design became the only large-scale timber structure in the village. One of the most distinctive features of Roussel's Athletes Village project is a rooftop gymnasium. “It wasn’t in the brief,” he admits. “But as a former basketball player, I wanted to create a space that could bring people together.” The gym, constructed with a delicate timber framework, offers panoramic views of Paris and serves as a social hub. “It’s about creating spaces that foster connection,” Roussel says.
 
 
Designed to transition seamlessly from Olympic dormitories to family apartments, the structure is meant to exemplify sustainable urban planning. “We focused on designing for both short-term functionality and long-term use,” Roussel explains. He credits Dominique Perrault, the master planner for the Olympic Village, with ensuring architectural quality across the site. “Perrault was crucial in maintaining high standards,” he says. “He created an environment where forty architects could collaborate and push boundaries.” For Roussel, the Olympic Village is more than just a project—it’s a legacy meant to show that timber can be a viable solution for large-scale urban development.
 
 
 
On designing architecture with l’ESAT
Lozaits-Seguin ESAT is a workshop and social reintegration center for individuals with disabilities built by DREAM in Villejuif, near Paris. The project’s brief initially combined housing and workshop spaces in a single structure, but Roussel saw an opportunity to create something more meaningful. “I convinced the client to give the workshop its own identity,” he explains. The result was a timber building that prioritizes natural light, open spaces, and connections to nature. “We avoided corridors and focused on creating a warm, welcoming environment,” he says.
 
 
Timber was an essential part of the design, not just for its sustainability but for its therapeutic properties. “Wood has a proven calming effect,” Roussel notes. “It helps people focus and recover.” The building’s minimalist aesthetic emphasizes the material’s natural warmth, creating a space that feels both functional and comforting.
 
DREAM's commitment to the project extended beyond architecture. Roussel financed an artist’s residency, resulting in a series of portraits of the workshop’s users. “The exhibition was a celebration of the people who make this place special,” he says. For Roussel, L’ESAT exemplifies the potential of architecture to create positive social change. “It’s not just about buildings—it’s about people,” he says.
 
 
 
 
On timber as the material of the future
DREAM’s projects reflect Roussel's commitment to timber construction. “Timber is lighter, more sustainable, and more adaptable than concrete,” he explains. His studio has become a leader in France’s timber revolution, demonstrating how the material can be used for everything from high-rise towers to community centers.
 
Despite its advantages, working with timber comes with challenges, particularly in a country like France, where concrete has long been the dominant material. “We’re still at the beginning of this transition,” Roussel says. “But the potential is enormous.” For Roussel, timber isn’t just a practical choice—it’s a philosophical one. “Timber buildings feel different,” he says. “They’re warmer, more inviting, and more connected to nature.”
 
 
On the future 
As DREAM continues to grow, Roussel remains focused on pushing the boundaries of sustainable design. Upcoming projects include a luxury hotel in Courchevel, the first fully timber structure in the area, and a stone-and-wood headquarters for a bank in Montpellier.
 
“I want to explore local materials and challenge perceptions of what sustainable architecture can look like,” he says. For Roussel, architecture is about more than creating beautiful structures. “It’s about inspiring people, fostering connections, and leaving a positive impact on the world,” he says.