The Weber Phalanstery in Paris III
Renovation and extension of an 18th- and 19th-century building complex, including shops, offices and residential units & Creation of the OGATA flagship store with designer Simplicity.
DESIGN TEAM
AXK (© Pierre Audat & Associés)
BET COTEC, EPBV et GSIR
Photography © Cyrille Weiner and Maxence Riflet
This space, which once housed a shop, offices, staff quarters, and family residences, evolved over time through an architectural patchwork of additions and alterations. While these interventions gradually altered the original heritage, they also gave the site a unique architectural identity.
Following the departure of the Weber family, a renovation project was undertaken to preserve this layered structure while integrating new contemporary elements. Rather than erasing the neighborhood’s artisanal memory, these additions subtly enhance it through the use of raw materials such as steel, maintaining harmony with the highly historic surroundings. This approach is evident from the street façade and continues through the two entrance halls, culminating in the rooftop extension at the heart of the block, which features a landscaped terrace
Historical elements engage in dialogue with modern interventions: Weber’s “bolt” capital echoes the Doric columns of the former courtyard façade, the Convention-era staircase connects seamlessly with the Fifth Republic hall, while concrete interacts with stone, and the natural zinc of the heritage areas contrasts with the patinated zinc used for contemporary additions.
This project represents a rich synthesis of rehabilitation expertise, employing a broad range of techniques—from 16th-century stonework to reinforced concrete structures from the last century. Each surface underwent a detailed assessment to determine the most suitable approach, whether restoration, transformation, or adaptation to new uses.
The improvised gardens left behind by previous occupants have been preserved, with dedicated spaces and supports designed to sustain and enhance greenery. This emphasis on vegetation strengthens the quality of life within this dense urban block.
Continuing its legacy of transformation, this estate is poised for further evolution in the centuries to come, ensuring that its architectural narrative remains in constant reinterpretation.
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