WY-TO creates undulating façade for the studios laumière in paris

in collaboration with toit et joie, WY-TO has designed ‘the studios laumière’ as part of an international competition to reinvent paris with a socially and culturally innovative project. the scheme transforms an existing building to offer a new musical destination for the 19th district, a lively and artistic neighborhood. the complex includes residential housing for musicians and at the same time, a place for training and creativity, dedicated to both professionals and amateurs.

the main facade represents the stylized partition of a barrel organ

all images courtesy of WY-TO

the program is developed by the architect to be versatile as it can double-up as a performance and event venue for the local community. the project intends to transform the basement and ground floor of the former electrical distribution center into an animated artistic hub. outdoor spaces are created at all levels and bring natural light into each collaborative space.

outdoor spaces are created at all levels

more than a metaphor of the musical wave, the main façade represents the stylized partition of a barrel organ, a popular street instrument associated with the vintage image of paris. façade panels are perforated following a score specially created by a contemporary composer and residents and passers-by will be able to play this music through a dedicated application.

a place of creation dedicated to both professionals and amateurs

acoustic challenges are inherent to the specific program, giving way to a system of non-parallel partitions which enhance the sound, resulting in a truly unique building form. by creating an extension of seven levels in a lightweight timber structure, studios laumière offers soundproofed apartments specially adapted for musicians to practice their instruments without interference.

all collaborative spaces enjoy natural light

the project also aims to be a good example of bioclimatic design, by repurposing and upcycling existing resources of the site and introducing biodegradable materials. the project revitalizes the urban biodiversity by growing indigenous plants in a greenhouse sitting on top of the building and allowing natural pollination through the cultivation of bee hives.

the project revitalizes the urban biodiversity

a new musical destination for the 19th district of paris

the studios laumière comprises of residential housing for musicians and a place of training and creativity

studios laumière, an advocate of bioclimatic design

the former electrical distribution center is transformed into an animated artistic incubator

the ground floor can be converted into a performance and event venue opened to the local community

façade panels are perforated following a score specially created by a contemporary composer

project info:

project name: ‘the studios laumière’

architect: WY-TO, in collaboration with toit et joie

location: paris, france

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: lynne myers | designboom