BBC housing at Porte de Valenciennes, Lille, by Atelier 9.81

Continuing the Euralille 2 project, the ZAC de la Porte de Valenciennes will accommodate a group of buildings, a quarter of which will be social rented housing. Spread over 16 hectares, the urban plan comprises, in addition to 1,000 new homes, 32,000 m² of offices, 3,900 m² of public facilities and 6,600 m² of shops and services. Among those involved in the scheme are the practices Coldefy and Brenac & Gonzalez. Atelier 9.81 presents its 63 BBC Effinergie homes.

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Standing on what will be a street corner, the scheme enjoys the best passive solar gain in the area. It was therefore only logical for the architects to maximise the openings in order to make the most of this natural resource. The result is bright, dual-aspect homes. The façades alternate between access balconies and living spaces, with colour applied to these recesses, which brings the scheme to life.

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The project, which has a cost of around €1,100/m², is commissioned by SIA Habitat. Completion is scheduled for mid-2012, and the base of the building will house two commercial units. The buildings are clad in a skin of 100% recycled pressed aluminium, fixed to a timber support structure that is entirely decoupled from the load-bearing structure. The build-up is intended to create a genuine insulating envelope for the homes. These efforts have earned the H&E certification that comes with the BBC Effinergie label.