Architects: Kengo Kuma & Associates
Year: 2023
Photographs: Sergio Grazia
Engineering: EQO engineering, S2T fluids
Acoustics Engineering: AÏDA acoustic
Construction Site Management: EQO engineering
Construction Company: Rubner, Rehago
Design Team: Kengo Kuma, Chizuko Kawarada, Charlotte Brussieux, Marika Maione, Mathieu Faliu, Maria Cervantes, Michael Albric (*former staff)
Client: REI Habitat
City: Paris
Country: France
Yama-Tani, a wooden housing project in northeast Paris, blends with the low-rise scale of its surroundings while bringing a village-like atmosphere and nature into the design. The building’s stepped composition opens at the southeast corner to maximize sunlight, with most apartments spanning façade to façade and featuring private outdoor spaces. External distribution corridors create fluid transitions between inside and outside, while a backyard garden, visible from the street, enhances the connection to nature. Pre-aged chestnut on the main façade and Douglas fir in the courtyard offers warmth and character, with the street-facing façade mimicking mountain peaks and valleys to capture sunlight and enliven the street.
“We can see all projects as a major challenge everywhere in the world.”
Interview with Kengo Kuma of Kengo Kuma and Associates
Yama Tani is a compact wooden housing development situated in the northeast of Paris. In contrast to the high-rise structures that dominate the surrounding area, the street it occupies is characterized by buildings ranging from two to five stories. The project aims to re-establish a human-scale environment reminiscent of a village while integrating natural elements into the design.
The design strategy focuses on maximizing spatial openness within a confined volume. Through a stepped composition, the building opens at its southeast corner, allowing abundant sunlight to penetrate its core. Most apartments extend from façade to façade and include outdoor spaces such as balconies, loggias, terraces, or rooftop areas.
The accommodations are accessed through exterior distribution corridors, creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. This design introduces porosity and a sense of softness, fostering a tranquil atmosphere and a closer connection to seasonal changes and weather. Each apartment has direct outdoor access. At the heart of the project, a backyard garden emphasizes nature as a central feature, visible from the street and adding depth and visual appeal to the perspective.
The use of wood introduces a distinct sense of warmth and softness, enhancing the living experience. Its thermal inertia contributes to a feeling of well-being, improved acoustics, efficient dry heating, and a high-quality ambiance within the home. Specific wood species were selected to align with the design intent: pre-aged chestnut, chosen for the main street facade, offers durability to support precise pleated detailing, while smoother Douglas fir is used for the courtyard facade, naturally aging to a silvery hue over time.
The main street façade incorporates a dynamic folding design that echoes the contours of mountain peaks and valleys, with each wooden section capturing sunlight as it traverses the day. This thoughtful composition disrupts the linearity of the street, infusing it with a distinct rhythm and a unique vibrancy that sets the building apart.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: Paris, Île-de-France, France
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
