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Paris is a city renowned for dramatic urban transformation: 146 years ago, the completion of Haussmann’s renovation changed the face of the French capital, his vast network of boulevards and squares constituting the single most radical overhaul of a city in history. Now, it seems Paris is at it again. In 2016, mayor Anne Hidalgo announced the winners of Réinventer Paris, unveiling a raft of innovative projects designed to improve public spaces across the city.
The competition called for proposals on 23 sites throughout Paris and has attracted a number of prestigious international firms including David Chipperfield Architects and Sou Fujimoto Architects. Winners were announced for 22 different locations — only the site for a townhouse in the 17th arrondissement lacked a proposal — and include proposals for 1,341 new living units, of which 50 percent are designated affordable. Other projects contribute buildings for public use, as well as incorporating improved infrastructure and highly sustainable building technologies.
Below, we reveal all 22 schemes. Here’s what to expect from the next great reinvention of Paris:
1. Pershing by Sou Fujimoto Architects, Manal Rachdi, OXO, Moz, Atelier Paul Arène et Pierre-Alexandre Risser Horticulture and Jardins
Fujimoto’s striking glass structure bridges Paris’ ring road and houses affordable apartments, a community center, a kindergarten and a play area. It will be topped with over 1,000 trees.
2. Buzenval by Studios d’Architecture ORY et Associés
A vacant building to the east of the city center will be transformed into a hostel with space for co-working and band rehearsals. The proposal includes a public rooftop terrace.
3. Morland by David Chipperfield Architects, Calq, Olafur Eliasson, Studio Other Spaces and Michel Desvigne
The winning proposal envisions a mixed-use scheme that transforms this 1950s structure into an open, accessible public building. The design includes space for a hotel, youth hostel, food market, bar and restaurant as well as a two-story, inhabitable artistic installation by Studio Other Spaces.
4. Masséna by DGT Architects
DGT Architects intends to transform this abandoned train station with a tree-covered tower, which will house companies producing and selling healthy foods.
5. Hôtel de Coulanges by Sahuc and Katchoura and François Chatillon Architecte
The winning proposal for the Hôtel de Coulanges — built in the 17th and 18th centuries — envisions a new center for fashion and design, with catwalk shows hosted in the mansion’s historic courtyard.
6. Edison Lite by Manuelle Gautrand Architecture
French architect Manuelle Gautrand has proposed a plant-covered housing block beside a conservatoire in the 13th arrondissement.
7. Gambetta by Atelier Secousses
Atelier Secousses has reimagined this former garage on Avenue Gambetta as a new center of contemporary dance for Paris.
8. Sous-Station Voltaire by Olivier Palatre Architectes and Atelier Roberta
The architects propose a sensitive restoration of this early-20th-century electricity substation, transforming it into a mixed-use cinema and entertainment venue while preserving the building’s historic façade.
9. Ternes-Villiers by Jacques Ferrier Architectures, Chartier Dalix Architectes and SLA Paysagistes
Jacques Ferrier Architectures and Chartier Dalix Architectes’ proposal for an “environmental machine” forms an inhabitable bridge that spans the Boulevard Périphérique, with each mixed-use building including rooftop walkways, parks and allotments.
10. Ordener by Hubert and Roy
Hubert and Roy proposes to transform this industrial site into a sustainable residential development, including a 40-cot crèche and urban allotments.
11. Ancien Conservatoire Maurice Ravel by Pablo Katz Architecture
Pablo Katz Architecture’s proposal will see the comprehensive renovation of this 1980s building, formerly home of the Conservatoire Maurice Ravel.
12. Paris Rive Gauche by XTU Architects
Entitled In Vivo, XTU Architects’ laboratory building will be wrapped in walls of microalgae for use in medical research.
13. Clichy-Batignolles by PCA
A futuristic timber-framed structure with glass façades and green walls will be built on the site of a former bus terminal, and it is designed to house flexible workspaces for “a new generation of mobile workers.” A vegetable garden on the roof will provide food for sale on site.
14. Pitet by Nicolas Laisné Associés, Bassinet and Turquin
The winning proposal for this group of 1970s tower blocks in the 17th arrondissement envisions three new residential buildings that house 66 apartments — each granted its own outside space in the form of “livable gardens.”
15. Poterne des Peupliers by AAVP
The plan for this disused tract of land — abandoned following the construction of the Périphérique ring road — includes a funeral parlor surrounded by trees and a multipurpose distribution center.
16. Bains-douches Castagnary by Équipe Red
Équipe Red’s reimagining of a 1930s red-brick, former public bathhouse sees it transformed into France’s highest wooden building, which will house apartments and co-working offices.
17. Bessières by AR Architectes / Christian Delécluse
AR Architectes and Christian Delécluse’s timber-clad mixed-use scheme will emerge from the demolition and remodeling of an existing 1950s real-estate complex and garages.
18. Ourcq-Jaurès by Clara Simay Architecture and Amo Développement Durable, Link Architectes, Mélanie Drevet Paysagiste and Philippe Pieger, Agro-écologue Urbain
A sustainable mixed-use scheme is planned for a site adjacent to the historic Petite Ceinture railway line, including urban agriculture and parkland that retains industrial heritage akin to New York’s High Line.
19. Hôtel Particulier de la Bûcherie by Perrot and Richard
Renovation specialists Perrot and Richard will transform this magnificent 15th-century mansion, creating the first incubator in Paris dedicated to philanthropic organizations.
20. Italie by L35 Architects
L35’s proposal for this long public esplanade will house innovative stores and services to complement the adjacent Italie 2 shopping mall, one of Paris’ largest retail hubs.
21. Piat by Vincent Saulier Architecture and Choreme
Vincent Saulier Architecture and Choreme’s louver-clad residential scheme slots into an overgrown, derelict site surrounded to the east of the city center.
22. Triangle Éole-Évangile by TVK / OLM
The winning proposal for this huge site to the north of the city center includes stepped apartment buildings and sporting amenities topped with public green spaces.
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