MAD architects' first building in europe 'UNIC' nears completion in paris

marking the architecture firm’s first realized project in europe, MAD architects is close to completing the ‘UNIC’ residential complex in paris‘ 17th arrondissement. after winning an international design competition in 2012, the scheme has been developed in collaboration with local french firm biecher architectes and is expected to be completed in september 2019. characterized by a sinuous, undulating form, the building forms part of a mixed-use masterplan in the burgeoning clichy-batignolles district.

image © jared chulski (also main image)

UNIC is situated in the midst of the typically parisian haussmann apartment blocks, but unlike the formal architecture, MAD‘s design takes on an organic shape in a bid to weave an element of nature into the urban fabric. to form a connection with the adjacent park, the complex is designed with a series of rounded terraces, extending the green space into homes and giving the building an overall dynamic aesthetic. the terraces also function to open the interior spaces up to the outdoors, bringing in an abundance of natural light and providing residents with impressive views over the city skyline and iconic eiffel tower.

image © jared chulski

situated in the north-west of paris, the greater masterplan in clichy-batignolles is designed to establish a new part of the city. working with the community through workshops, UNIC has been developed alongside local residents, architects and developers and will provide both private and affordable housing. in addition, by providing not only residential buildings, but also community-based resources, the site aims to breath new life into the area.

image © jared chulski

in addition to providing apartments, the 50-meter tall structure is also planned to include a kindergarten, retail spaces, and other community resources on the ground floor. residents will also be well-connected to the rest of the city by the integration of a metro station. in essence, by working with residents and focusing on bringing green areas into the building, UNIC provides optimum living spaces by constructing a building that blurs the line between architecture and nature. see designboom’s previous coverage of the project here.

image © jared chulski

image © NKCHU

image © jared chulski

image courtesy of MAD architects

image © jared chulski

project info:

project name: ‘UNIC’

location: paris, france

type: residential

status: under construction

expected completion: september 2019

site area: 11,119 ft2 (1,033 m2)

building area: 71,041.8 ft2 (6,600 sqm)

building height: 538 ft (50 m)

principal partners in charge: ma yansong, dang qun, yosuke hayano

associate partners in charge: andrea d’antrassi, flora lee

design team: zhao wei, wu kaicong, daniel gillen, jiang bin, tristan brasseur, juan valeros, gustavo alfred van staveren, xin dogterom, juan pablo, cesar d pena del rey, natalia giacomino, torsten radunski, rozita kahirtseva

client: emerige

lead architect: MAD architects

team coordinator: BIECHER architectes

executive architect: BIECHER architectes

structure engineers: BECIP – BET structure

MEP consultant: ESPACE TEMPS – BET fluides

landscape designer: PHYTOLAB – BET paysagiste

interior designer: charles zana

project management: artelia

construction company: vinci sicra ile-de-france

photography: jared chulski, NKCHU