Description
A warm duplex in the “Lavoir du Buisson-Saint-Louis” residence
Located in the heart of Paris, this bright apartment is situated in a former 19th-century washhouse. Rehabilitated in 1983 by architect Bernard Kohn, a disciple of Louis Kahn and a pioneer of participatory housing in France, this duplex is a unique blend of history and modern design.
Located on the second and top floor, this property spans 80.5 m² CL (82 m² total), spread over two levels.
The ground floor features a spacious living area of nearly 40 m², including a living room and an open kitchen. The living room, with its solid wood flooring, exposed beams, wood-burning stove, and built-in cupboards, enjoys abundant natural light. A separate toilet completes this level.
The upper floor, accessible via a solid wood staircase, is organized around a landing. It includes the sleeping area with two bedrooms, a bathroom, and an office. The office provides access to a 7.5 m² terrace, sheltered under a glass roof.
Residents of the apartment also benefit from shared spaces available to all co-owners: a large 70 m² common room (available for private events), a laundry room, a garden, and numerous terraces.
A parking space in the basement completes the property.
The residence enjoys a dynamic environment and is close to all amenities. It is served by metro lines 2 and 11, at Belleville and Goncourt stations.
A modular construction system
Bernard Kohn’s contemporary rehabilitation of the washhouse preserves the original load-bearing structure, which was exposed and maintained. The façades were completely redesigned. Set on the original half-timbered structure, they consist of a system of interchangeable aluminum-framed panels. Whether solid or glazed, fixed or opening, these panels allow residents to customize the façade according to their preferences and adapt it as needed.
The architect then proposed a flexible “post-and-beam” construction system, enabling easy interior layout changes to adapt homes to the evolving needs of families over the years. The various apartments are interlocked within the structure, and a system of walkways connects the different building sections. The circulation routes, between interior and exterior, from courtyards to patios, gardens, and landings, create a convivial spatial experience that fosters encounters among residents.
A pioneering self-managed housing project
On a deep, narrow plot, the former industrial washhouse consisted of two half-timbered buildings dating from the 19th century. The rehabilitation program involved converting it into 14 housing units, triplexes, duplexes, and single-level apartments, while preserving the *genius loci* of the site. At the architect’s request, the project was designed and implemented through a participatory process, in collaboration with the future residents.
Inspired by the experimental and alternative spirit of the 1970s, the project incorporated communal living spaces from the outset, dedicated to services (laundry, parking) and leisure (common room, convivial spaces), which are still in use today.
Bernard Kohn and participatory architecture
Born in France in 1931, Bernard Kohn was a French architect and urban planner whose work was deeply influenced by two pioneers of participatory urbanism : Scotsman Patrick Geddes and American Christopher Alexander. He emigrated to the United States in 1940, where he studied at the University of Pennsylvania under Louis Kahn.
Alongside psychosociologist Michel Herrou and architect Georges Maurios, he founded the multidisciplinary agency Environnement et Comportement, where they developed a modular component construction system that allowed resident involvement.
In this spirit, he designed Le Grand Meaulnes and Royer Bendelé in Gennevilliers (1987-1991), two participatory housing projects.
In 1976, Bernard Kohn established his architecture studio in Paris, focusing on public commissions and introducing the concept of “participatory pedagogy.” His notable works include the French Embassy in Mexico (1985-1995) and the Judicial City of Clermont-Ferrand (1986-1992).
In 2000, he co-founded the agency Ar-thème in Saint-Mandé with Bruno Mougel and Jean-Pierre Vaysse.
Bernard Kohn also taught in the Urbanism Department at Yale University in the United States.
Technical informations
Asking price : 1 060 000 €
Fees at the buyer’s expense
Fee amount : 4% (40 769 €)
Price excluding fees : 1 019 231 €
Proprety tax : 1 500 €
Co-ownership. 14 units
Monthly co-ownership charges : approximately 120 € /month
Individual gas heating
Cooling to be installed
Thermal renovation in progress (seller’s responsibility)
ENERGY CLASS : F – CLIMATE CLASS : E
Average annual energy costs (including subscriptions, based on 2021, 2022, 2023 data) : between 2 300 € and 3 170 € per year.
