A remarkable rehabilitation project has transformed two historic industrial halls at Villa Riberolle, a charming private alley nestled between Père-Lachaise Cemetery and Rue de Bagnolet in Paris's 20th arrondissement. The architectural renovation was led by RREEL, a specialized architecture and heritage agency founded by Léa Cottreel and Rosalie Robert, who are also based in the 20th district on Rue des Envierges in Belleville.
Villa Riberolle has served as a hub for small industries and workshops since its creation in the mid-19th century. Over the decades, the private alley has housed diverse businesses including passementerie, cabinetmaking, jewelry making, film production, and even public baths. For more than a century, these buildings have been continuously modified to accommodate the various activities they hosted, yet their original architectural characteristics have persisted throughout the transformations.
The distinctive industrial architecture of Villa Riberolle features buildings composed of large halls with metal structures covered by sheet metal, cleverly concealed behind facades with pediments. These archetypal architectural elements give the alley its unique identity and confer an urban dimension that has remained constant despite the changing uses of the spaces over time.
The current renovation project focuses on two of these historic halls, which a cinema post-production company wanted to rehabilitate to house editing rooms. Recognizing that the program requirements are not fixed and that the company's needs are constantly evolving, the architects designed the project to accommodate different occupation scenarios in the future. The primary objective was to consolidate the existing structure to allow it to welcome various uses while preserving its industrial heritage.
The architectural approach sought to create a spatial dialogue between permanence and change. To address the uncertainty of the program requirements, the renovation work was organized into multiple phases that would allow for flexibility and adaptability over time.
The structural work phase aimed to restore the building's basic qualities for proper functioning. The original envelope and structure were preserved, which required significant reinforcement and strengthening of the existing framework. A grand concrete staircase was created, designed to match the scale and vocation of the industrial building. Additionally, a curved wall made of concrete blocks was constructed to conceal necessary facilities that would be required regardless of the specific activity housed within: restrooms, technical rooms, and office spaces.
The second phase involved lighter, reversible interior work that enabled the creation of editing rooms. The partition walls and visible networks were designed to be easily modifiable, allowing for future reconfiguration as needs change. On the ground floor, the main large hall disappears behind a mirror, creating a spatial paradox that duplicates the space and thus perpetuates the initial volume while simultaneously dividing it.
The renovated building anchors itself firmly in the tradition of industrial buildings, where activities evolve within a structural framework that endures. The architectural project was conceived as an organization in both space and time of these stable and changing elements, creating a dynamic relationship between permanence and adaptation. This approach ensures that the building can continue to serve evolving needs while maintaining its historic industrial character and contributing to the unique urban fabric of Villa Riberolle.
