matte terracotta tiles in dynamic patterns outline athletes' village in paris

Village des Athlètes in paris by Brenac & Gonzalez & Associés

Brenac & Gonzalez & Associés presents Village des Athlètes, a residential resort in the heart of Greater Paris, designed to support the dynamics of major international sporting events, such as the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024. This project, which uses terracotta, emphasizes the integration of innovative construction techniques and sustainable design, showcasing modern metropolitan domesticity and quality of life. Village des Athlètes is conceived to transition smoothly from temporary athlete housing to long-term residential use. The design focuses on legacy, ensuring that the new district remains a vibrant place for families within Greater Paris. The adaptable cells allow for rapid and cost-effective conversion from event-specific accommodations to permanent residences.

The project encompasses three key buildings: plot 1 at the corner of quai de Seine and rue Agnès Varda, plot 5 along mail Finot, and plot 8 along rue Agnès Varda. Plot 1, formed by the linear assembly of two plots, presents a distinctive silhouette resembling the prow of a moored ship. This unique design includes wide white gangways and a vast belvedere terrace, offering panoramic views of the riverside landscape. Plots 5 and 8 are designed to complement each other within the Quincunx, a grid that organizes the block. These buildings frame a central forest, featuring elongated trees with light foliage, providing a serene space for residents to stroll and relax, sheltered from the urban hustle.

image by © Stefan Tuchila | full header image courtesy of Drone Press/ SOLIDEO

sustainable transition from athlete housing to urban residences

Brenac & Gonzalez & Associés’ architecture is characterized by its sobriety and rigor, avoiding ostentation in favor of thoughtful design narratives. The buildings feature alternating glazed and matte terracotta tiles, creating large-scale motifs reminiscent of tartan weave or traditional brick ornamentation. This patterning adds a dynamic visual element that changes with the time of day and light conditions. The design includes subtle ornamental elements such as curved railings, windows, and blinds, creating a dialogue with the adjacent Cité du Cinéma. The designers’ narrative inspiration enriches the architectural language and connects the project to its cultural context.

Several technical solutions have been developed to meet stringent environmental standards. The project employs mixed wood-concrete construction and terracotta cladding on prefabricated wood-frame facades, ensuring both durability and sustainability. Village des Athlètes combines residential comfort with urban quality, exemplifying 21st-century manifesto architecture. The design prioritizes the interaction between people and their environment, creating spaces that enhance everyday life while respecting the ecological and cultural fabric of the city.

Village des Athlètes, residential resort in Greater Paris, supports major sporting events | image by © Stefan Tuchila

the project integrates innovative construction techniques and sustainable design | image by © Sergio Grazia

Brenac & Gonzalez & Associés designs three key buildings: plot 1, plot 5, and plot 8 | image by © Sergio Grazia

the design transitions from temporary athlete housing to long-term residential use | image by © Stefan Tuchila

adaptable cells allow for rapid and cost-effective conversion to permanent residences | image by © Sergio Grazia

alternating glazed and matte terracotta tiles create dynamic motifs on the buildings | image by © Stefan Tuchila

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image by © Stefan Tuchila

project info:

name: Village des Athlètes
architects: Brenac & Gonzalez & Associés | @brenacgonzalezassocies

associate architects: Emmanuel Person, Jean-Pierre Lévêque

project manager: Franck Denize

project owner: ICADE

coordinator for the athletes’ village: UAPS

structure and facades: EGIS

fluids: BERIM HQE OASIIS

worksite: SPIE BATIGNOLLES

complex infrastructures: EDEIS

landscape: TN PLUS

graphic design: Brenac & Gonzalez & Associés

plot 1 surface area: 6090 sqm

plot 5 surface area: 1890 sqm

plot 8 surface area: 2800 sqm

location: Rue Agnès Varda, Saint-Ouen, Paris, France

photography: Sergio Grazia | @sergio.grazia – Stefan Tuchila | @stefan.tuchila

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom