Thirty concrete sails. That’s how I picture Allée de la Noiseraie. Imagine them catching the Parisian wind.
Allée de la Noiseraie in Noisy-le-Grand isn’t your typical Parisian street. It’s a residential area. A unique architectural masterpiece. It’s part of a larger project. A project designed by Henri Ciriani.
Ciriani’s vision was bold. He aimed to create “urban pieces”. These weren’t just buildings. They were carefully crafted spaces. Spaces that interact with each other. Think of it as a city within a city. Allée de la Noiseraie was one of the first. One of the very first “urban pieces” ever built.
Construction began in December 1977. It wasn’t a small undertaking. The project involved 300 housing units. 185 were social housing units. Another 115 were private. There were even 300 parking spaces. The building materials are striking. Raw concrete forms the structure. Some walls are covered in 50cm square tiles. A bold mix of white black and red. The window frames are a unique wagon green. The interior woodwork is painted ivory white. Even the metalwork is wagon green.
The Allée de la Noiseraie wasn’t just a construction project. It was a statement. A testament to modern architecture. The design was so innovative it was even featured at the Milan Triennale in 1997.
Today Allée de la Noiseraie stands as a reminder. A reminder of a unique vision. A vision that transformed a suburban area. It’s a place where urban design meets social housing. It’s a quiet corner of Noisy-le-Grand. It holds a special place in architectural history. Its design continues to inspire architects worldwide. The Allée de la Noiseraie. A Parisian gem. A hidden treasure.