A very meticulous and particularly demanding project, this stunning home in the heart of Paris is placing its bets on environment

This rare project came about following the sale of a small corner lot of 120 m˛ a stone's throw from Porte de Bagnolet. Playing off the difficulties caused by its smallness, Franco-Argentinean architect Pablo Katz constructed a five-storey building on the site. Fiercely opposed to any thoughtless design, he favoured working with light, employing natural and recyclable materials and the visual relationship between spaces. At the same time he used strict geometry and dynamic connections. Paying great attention to the project's equilibrium, the capacity of flexibility makes it possible to meet the inhabitants' current demands and their needs as they evolve over time. The architect supplied the tools to permit the habitat to accompany changes in the family structure. The handling of each façade requires a specific role and an aesthetic contingent upon demands. Most of the street side is open, and the lateral side, which is made of wood and is more closed, protects against the gaze of passers-by. In the back, on south-facing side, the wall with a large window accommodates pleasant weather while still sheltering the outside space. However, a contemporary Arab mashrabiyya protects the inhabitants' privacy in the bathrooms.

The architecture is certainly a product of today, but it is forward-looking, without giving in to ephemeral trends or making compromises. The structure is environmentally friendly. To limit energy loss, the owner and designer opted for an effective insulation, a solar-powered water heater, a condensing gas boiler, low-temperature heating, and double flow ventilation. These elements reduce costs while delivering true comfort. For example, the solar panels cover a little over half of the annual needs in domestic hot water at a reasonable investment and amortisement. The house is environmentally-friendly yet intelligent. There are multiple integrated controls and touch screens. This project is a rather experimental case. The architect was not preoccupied with classifications, which would have forced him into a standards-oriented mindset. The performance was not an end in itself but rather at the service of an overall project, without compromising architectural consistency.