ABSTRACT
At the end of the twentieth century, poor workmanship during construction and deferred maintenance called into question the future of subsidized housing in France. In 2001, the administration began to systematically demolish the decaying housing stock, some of which had been built by renowned modernist architects. This chapter discusses a blind spot of French housing politics consisting of the fact that successive policies, even preceding demolition, dismissed the relation residents built to the places in which they lived. An examination of the debate within the administration and architectural profession over whether to preserve this type of housing, and analysis of recent renovations show that addressing the question of dwelling, as problematic as it may be, can help us understand the relevance and contribution of architecture to the housing question. Case studies include Lacaton & Vassal’s renovation of Tour du Bois-le-Prêtre, Paris (2009–2011), originally built by Lopez (1959–1961); bmc2’s intervention in Rouen Grand Mare (2005–2012), originally built in the 1960s; and Eliet and Lehmann’s restoration of the Faisanderie, Fontainebleau (2013–2015), originally built by Lods (1951–1952).
