Envision, if you will, Roman engineers meticulously planning a new type of urban housing. Imagine that Insula in Paris was once part of that vision. The name Insula itself transports us back to ancient Rome. It means “island” in Latin. But, what does this have to do with Paris?
Let’s embark on a journey to understand the ancient Roman “Insula” and its connection to modern city life. In Roman times, an Insula wasn’t just any building. It was a specific type of apartment building. These structures housed the majority of Rome’s urban population. This included ordinary people from lower and middle classes. Even some of the upper-middle class called Insula home.
The traditional elite lived in Domus. These were large single-family residences. Insulae and Domus were mixed throughout the city. They were not segregated into different neighborhoods. The ground floor of an Insula typically housed Tabernae. These were shops and businesses. Living spaces were located above.
Insulae, much like modern apartments, often had names. These usually referenced the building’s owner. Wealthy Romans commonly owned these buildings. Senators and those of similar rank were often landlords. Some individuals owned shares of Insulae. They would receive a portion of the revenue. Rent was paid by the inhabitants to secure accommodation.
Strabo noted that Insulae had running water and sanitation. However, some were built cheaply for speculative purposes. This resulted in poor construction. Timber, brick and Roman concrete were used as materials. This made them prone to fire and collapse. Marcus Licinius Crassus was known to speculate in real estate. He owned numerous Insulae in Rome. Cicero once stated that he was happy when one collapsed. He could charge higher rents for a new building.
Living quarters in Insulae varied in size. The smallest were typically on the uppermost floors. The largest and most expensive apartments were on the bottom floors. Insulae could be built up to nine stories high. Augustus later introduced a height limit. It was about 70 Roman feet, around 20.7 meters. This was later reduced to about 60 Roman feet, about 17.75 meters.
The large Insula Felicles was located near the Circus Flaminius. Tertullian, an early Christian writer, condemned the hubris of multi-story buildings. He compared the Felicles to the towering homes of the gods. A typical Insula could accommodate over 40 people in only 3,600 square feet. An entire structure could comprise six to seven apartments. Each apartment covered about 1,000 square feet.
The only surviving Insula in Rome is the five-story Insula dell’Ara Coeli. It dates from the 2nd century AD. It is found at the foot of the Capitoline Hill. Due to safety concerns and extra flights of stairs, the uppermost floors were the least desirable. They were also the cheapest to rent.
Other examples outside of Rome can be found at Ostia Antica. They provide insight into Insulae during the second and third centuries AD. These structures also show evidence of luxurious Insulae. These luxury Insulae included a rectangular living space called a medianum. All other rooms were accessed from here. Large glazed windows allowed light into these rooms. They often overlooked a garden, courtyard, or the street.
Simple two to four-roomed apartments were also found in Ostia. These were for the lower classes inhabiting an Insula. Ground floors contained narrow corridors with poorly lit cells. These led to what is believed to be a shared living area. Latrines and cisterns for drinking water also seem to be shared. This likely acted as an inn for short-tenure workers.
Augustus instituted reforms aimed at increasing the safety of buildings in Rome. Because of the dangers of fire and collapse, the height of Insulae were restricted. By the 4th century, there were about 42,000–46,000 Insulae in the city. This is compared to about 1,790 Domus in the late 3rd century.
While this Insula in Paris may not be a physical remnant of Roman architecture, its name serves as a reminder. It connects us to the ingenuity and urban planning of the past. Today, Insula gallery offers something entirely different. It provides a space for contemporary art and expression. However, the name subtly echoes the echoes of ancient Roman life. It reminds us of how people have lived together in urban spaces for millennia.