Defying gravity on Paris' edge, Cœur Atlantis is a new building of 86 residences defined by dramatic two-meter cantilevered balconies and rooftop penthouses, which fuses anthracite and golden elegance. Inspired by Jane Jacobs' 1961 concept of "eyes on the street", it offers serene, luxurious, and leafy courtyard living—and is situated a swift 20-minute train ride, from central Paris

This new housing development in Massy, a suburb undergoing a significant urban transformation, on the southern periphery of Paris, epitomises a dense, robust and placing-making residential intervention within a continually developing context. Characterised by its strategic proximity to Orly Airport, and known within France as a being a major RER and TGV hub; Massy has experienced accelerated growth since the mid-twentieth century, even as it remains a maturing suburb of Paris, especially to the south and southeast of the train station. Southern Massy is defined by many new housing developments, offices and—clustered around the station—a plethora of restaurants, theatres, dentists and daycares, and all else residents would expect to find in an emerging city district. This new building, with its striking gold and anthracite painted concrete façades, therefore contributes to the demographic expansion and densification of Massy, by harmonising its presence with its surroundings while maintaining existing urban morphologies.

The building totals about 6.000 m2, with 86 units that range in size from around 45 to 115 m2. It occupies a corner lot in the Atlantique neighbourhood of Massy, set at a 45 degree rotation from due North, ensuring all residences receive ample sunlight throughout the day's duration. It is bordered by a heavily-trafficked boulevard, and a leafy, less busy side street: a secondary entrance to the building and its private courtyard, can be accessed from Rue Léonard de Vinci, with the public, primary entrance located on Rue Galvani, which bounds this neighbourhood in Massy. Shaped like a horseshoe, the building is defined by its vast, vector-like expanses of gold and black, with dramatic two-metre cantilevered balconies extending on all sides, except that facing Rue Galvani. The black balconies cast deep, angular shadows that shift with the sun's movement, creating ever-playful and poetic visual rhythms. This theatrical—almost cinematic—effect of light against the building adds an ethereal sophistication, to this otherwise heavily ‘anchored’ volume.

To ensure the building's robustness and permanence, poured in-situ concrete—a construction technique widely used in France—was selected for its structural framework. This method accentuates the edifice's monolithic character and tactile materiality, emphasising this craftsmanship and structural authenticity. Moreover, the use of in-situ concrete minimises the need for additional structural elements, thereby reducing joints and seams where potential weaknesses might otherwise arise. Consequently, the entire complex functions as a unified whole, exhibiting resilience against external forces such as weathering, seismic activity and general wear-and-tear over time. The application of this technique additionally results in seamless, smooth surfaces; the better to catch the many shadows that flit across them. The building's monolithic structure, dramatic gold and anthracite façades, and generously proportioned balconies create a nuanced contrast to the predominantly white buildings that otherwise characterise this emerging area of Massy.

Further differentiating it, amongst its neighbours in the area, is the building's porousness toward its surroundings; due to its multiple entry sequences, and courtyard side-homes—which are entered through private gardens. Balconies replace private gardens, for homes located on the upper six stories; while rooftop-duplex penthouses, with private terraces, offer panoramic vistas of the horizon. The building's integration with its context was informed by Jane Jacob’s 1961 principle of ‘eyes on the street’, which states the vitality of urban spaces are enhanced, when buildings are designed with multiple access points, and areas that allow for natural surveillance. The approach fosters community cohesion by enabling interaction between the building's occupants, and passersby. The numerous ways to enter the building, its plethora of balconies, private gardens and terraces, blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor life. Designed for young families, the building is serene, well-connected, and bustling Paris is just a short train ride away.

Location: Massy, Paris
Client: Eiffage Immobilier
Year: 2016-2024
Status: Completed
Program: 6.000 m2 residential complex of 86 units ranging in size from c. 45-115 m2

Photography: Maxime Verret

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