Thematic articles

From detail to concept, the Bois le Prêtre residential tower in Paris

From detail to concept, the housing tower "Bois le Prêtre" in Paris

Architects: Anne Lacaton, Jean-Philippe Vassal, Frédéric Druot

The detail vested with cultural authority seems to enter the safe circuit of architectural values. Constructive innovation and technological performance are still the guarantee of solidity, utility and beauty, following the classic Vitruvian model. However, a paradoxical phenomenon has recently called this certainty into question: the performance of computer-generated and computer-drawn detailing seems indifferent to the harsh reality of a world immersed in poverty and culture. Thus, the unwavering confidence in well-made, useful and well-seen detail can no longer avoid two questions inherent in the current context: "by what means?" and "how much does it cost?". Faced with these questions, the cult of high-performance detailing is asserting itself in various forms in the construction of social housing, an investment that still occupies an important place in France. [...]

The detail invested with cultural authority seems to participate in a reliable circuit of architectural values. Constructive innovation and technological performance still represent the warranty of solidity, utility and beauty, following the Vitruvian classical classical model. However, a paradox has recently emerged and questioned this certitude: the performing detail conceived and drawn on computer seems to be indifferent to the crude reality of a world threatened by poverty and lack of culture. Thus, the undisputable trust in the well-drawn detail, useful and truthful, can not avoid two questions emerging from the present context: "with what means?" and "how much does it cost?". Confronted with these questions, the cult of the performing detail takes different forms in the construction of Social Housing, a kind of investment which still occupies an important place in France. [...]