Boulogne B4C – Collective housing in Boulogne Billancourt

Boulogne B4C – Collective housing in Boulogne Billancourt
Sergio Grazia

Boulogne B4C – Collective housing in Boulogne Billancourt

Located behind the pastoral Catholic complex, the B4C enjoys uninterrupted views of Meudon’s hills on the other side of the Seine river. Its volumes are composed of two façades that are very different due to their exposure. The smooth north-facing façade overlooking rue Marcel Bontemps offers a pattern of aluminum sheets incorporating sliding shutters for the bedrooms in an abstract motif of juxtaposed frames. The southern face folds like a subtle origami and offers alternating balconies and winter gardens. These exterior spaces bind all the building’s living spaces. Their diamond shape stretches the perceived surface beyond reality and contributes to a feeling of opening up to the landscape. The volumes thus emerge by passing from this smooth façade to the crystalline one like two facets of a precious jewel.


Use The 46 apartments are served by two vertical openings. A broad lobby fully opened to the street provides passers-by with a view that contributes to enhancing the rapport of the building to the city. The ground-floor apartments are raised more than 1.5 meters above the sidewalk, ensuring full privacy for their occupants. The space between the church complex and the building is occupied by private gardens for the personal use of the ground-floor apartments. The upper floors enjoy wide balconies or winter gardens looking out at the best views. The winter gardens come with sliding glass walls that protect them from the wind and provide extended exposure to the outside spaces.


Sustainabledevelopment A certified low-energy building, B4C benefits from the winter gardens that act as thermal buffers. It’s 3D relief facing the prevailing winds limits whirlwinds and protects the outside spaces. All apartments are walk-through, thus maximizing natural ventilation. The bio-climatic principles on which its design is based are enabled due to good insulation and wide, southern-facing picture windows.