Résidence Séverine

Nestled amongst the bustling streets of Issy-les-Moulineaux, the Résidence Séverine stands as a testament to France’s post-war reconstruction and architectural innovation. Here, in the 1950s, amidst the economic boom known as the “Trente Glorieuses,” a complex of social housing buildings emerged, bearing the name of the street it graces. Résidence Séverine, sandwiched between Rue Parmentier, Rue Foucher Lepelletier, Rue Guynemer, and Rue Séverine, embodies the spirit of a nation rebuilding and providing homes for all, especially those with limited resources. Commissioned by the municipality, architect Jacques Delaire, son of the renowned Émile Delaire, took on the project. The first phase, Séverine I, features two distinct structures. One, a four-story building along Rue Parmentier, and the other, Séverine II, a striking compass-shaped edifice, clearly inspired by the works of Le Corbusier. The influence of Le Corbusier, a celebrated architect, theorist, designer, and painter, is evident in the design of Résidence Séverine, particularly Séverine II. The building’s two wings, one six stories along Rue Foucher Lepelletier and the other a nine-story, 50-meter stretch extending to Rue Séverine, reflect Corbusier’s innovative approach. Séverine I, built on pilotis, echoes Corbusier’s iconic Villa Savoye and, to some extent, his Unité d’Habitation in Marseille. This design creates a circulation space beneath the building, originally intended as an open area between gardens, but now housing a caretaker’s lodge and waste management facilities. While the roof is flat, it lacks the characteristic Corbusier rooftop terrace. However, the elongated windows along the building’s facade serve a similar purpose, illuminating a long corridor leading to apartments. The nine-story wing, stretching between two streets, presents a rhythmic facade of adjoining balconies framed by paired windows. A central, glass-encased tower provides ample light to the landings and stairwell. The articulation between the two wings is marked by a large, glazed tower housing elevators that serve every other floor, reminiscent of the split-level apartments in Corbusier’s Cité Radieuse. This rounded form also evokes a similar structure within Corbusier’s Villa La Roche-Jeanneret in Paris. A four-story building along Rue Parmentier, part of the initial phase, once housed a post office. This has since been demolished and replaced by the Résidence Guynemer. The curved portion remains, now accommodating a commercial space and a Red Cross facility. As the Résidence Séverine I took shape, Abbé Pierre’s call to action highlighted the plight of the poorly housed during the harsh winter of 1954. Construction continued with Séverine II, adopting a more conventional approach with four-story buildings without elevators. Today, the Résidence Séverine complex, spanning over a hectare, stands as a symbol of a nation’s resilience and architectural evolution, its renovated facades a blend of post-war practicality and Corbusier-inspired innovation.