Standing before you is a structure that defies its age. The Maison de François Coignet. It is not just a house. It is a testament to innovation. It is a bold experiment from the 19th century.
The Maison de François Coignet is famed as one of the first concrete houses in France. This unique building stands as a monument. It showcases the early use of concrete in residential architecture.
Picture Lyon native François Coignet arriving in the Paris area. The year was 1851. Coignet was an industrialist with a vision. He sought to revolutionize construction. He wanted to create affordable and durable housing for the working class.
Coignet established a branch of his Lyon-based company in Saint-Denis. Here he began experimenting with concrete. He blended coal ash with lime and slag. Water was added creating a compact material. It was an early form of what he termed “agglomerated” concrete.
In 1853, Coignet commissioned architect Théodore Lachez to design his home. The Maison de François Coignet was to be near his factory. The design followed conventional plans. However the construction was anything but ordinary. The house and even the terrace wall were made using Coignet’s unique concrete. This concrete was poured into molds. It created solid, massive structures.
François Coignet secured his first patent for “economic concrete” in 1854. This marked a pivotal moment. He was pioneering a new construction method. His methods challenged traditional building practices.
A commission of architects led by Henri Labrouste visited the construction site in 1855. Émile Gilbert documented the visit. He wrote about it in Les Annales de la Construction in 1857. The report acknowledged the use of low-value materials. It also noted the replacement of skilled workers with laborers. This highlighted the economic advantages of Coignet’s method.
The report also pointed out a mix of different materials of little value. These were combined with either fat or hydraulic lime. The mixtures were molded. They were compressed using methods common in pisé construction.
Around 1860, Coignet’s technique spread to England. Houses built using his method still stand today. Despite this early success, Coignet faced resistance. Parisian construction magnates were difficult to overcome.
The Maison de François Coignet faced neglect and deterioration over the years. It was even occupied by squatters. Despite being listed as a historical monument in 1998, its preservation remained uncertain. In February 2024, it was officially classified as a historical monument.
Another building at 67 Rue Charles-Michels was constructed in 1870. It was built by Coignet’s company to house workers. This building underwent a complete renovation completed in early 2016.
Today the Maison de François Coignet stands. It serves as a reminder of Coignet’s ingenuity. It is a symbol of innovation in concrete construction. Efforts are underway to rehabilitate the building. The goal is to transform it into a center for eco-construction. This center would educate the public and construction professionals. It will focus on sustainable building practices. The dream is to mirror the success of the Coignet Stone Company Building in New York. It was restored in 2016.