Yama-Tani | Kengo Kuma and associates

We designed a five-story wooden housing complex in the North-East of Paris, aiming to create a human and natural collective housing that resonates with the intimate atmosphere of Passage Crimée, located in a 'village-like' area characterized by low-rise buildings. This human-scale project was realized in collaboration with REI HABITAT, who focuses on using reused materials and a habitant participatory approach.

Each of the 11 units has its own access via an outside corridor, allowing residents to feel connected to the nature of the courtyard and giving them the sensation of living in a villa.

The main facade features an organic relief resembling a mountain range, crafted from Chestnut wood. Connecting from the top of the building to the base with a facade composed of Yama (Mountains) and Tani (Valleys), a small canyon was born in Passage Crimée.

Kengo Kuma

***

Yama Tani is a small wooden housing project located in the northeast of Paris. Unlike the high-rise buildings in the surrounding area, its street is made up of buildings from 2 or 3 floors up to 5. We therefore aspire to recreate a human scale like in a village and to bring nature into the building.

Our strategy consists of revealing the possibility of a wide space in a limited volume: through a stepped composition, the building is open in the south-east corner to bring a maximum of sunlight in its center. Also, most of the apartments are façade to façade, and all benefit from an outdoor space such as balcony, loggia or terraces and rooftop.

The accommodations are served by exterior distribution corridors, which provide fluidity between the outside and the inside. Porosity and softness to feel quiet and more connected to the season and the weather. Feel comfortable.  Thus, each appartement has direct access from the outside. A backyard garden places nature as the central element. This is visible from the street, like a gentle call giving a depth to the view.

The warmth of wood brings a unique sensation of softness. The inertia of this material provides significant well-being, different acoustics, attractive dry heating, and a qualitative atmosphere in the home.

The wood species are chosen according to the expected design: pre-aged chestnut for the main street facade which is hard enough to allow a precise pleated junction, Douglas smoother for the courtyard façade which also becomes naturally silver over time.

Playing with its fold, the main façade on the street revisits the relief of the peak of the mountain and the valley: each section of wood receives the sun following its course.

This main façade breaks the linearity and livens up the street: a special vibration which makes the building unique.

Data Sheet

Project name: Yama-Tani

Designing Period: 2018 – 2020

Construction Period: 2020 - 2023

Location: Paris, France Europe

Principal uses: Housing

Total floor area: 500 m2

Stories: 3 floors + duplex (last floor) + rooftop

Budget: NC

Credits

Lead design Architect: KKAA – Kengo Kuma & Associates

Kengo Kuma, Chizuko Kawarada, Charlotte Brussieux,

Marika Maione*, Mathieu Faliu*, Maria Cervantes*, Michael Albric* (*former staff)

Client : REI Habitat

Engineering: EQO engineering, S2T fluids, AÏDA acoustic

Construction site management: EQO engineering

Construction company: Rubner, Rehago

Photo © Sergio Grazia

[JP]

パリの北東に5階建ての集合住宅を木造でデザインした。低層の建物が集まるビレッジライクなパッサージュ・クリメに面してそのインティメートな雰囲気と共振するヒューマンでナチュラルな集合住宅を追求した。住民参加型、リユーズマテリアルに力を入れているREI HABITATとのコラボでこのヒューマンなプロジェクトは実現した。各住戸（11戸）はすべて外部回廊からアクセスすることで常に中庭の自然を感じ取ることができ、戸建てのヴィラに住んでいるような生活感覚が可能となった。

通りに面したメインファサードは栗のプランクを用いて山脈のような、オルガニックなレリーフを創造した。建物の最上部から足元までつながった山と谷がファサードを覆いパッサージュ・クリメに、小さな峡谷が生まれた。

隈研吾