Maison de François Coignet, Historical house in Saint-Denis, France
Maison de François Coignet is a residential house in Saint-Denis built entirely from concrete with ornamental features including moldings, cornices, and railings. The structure demonstrates an early use of concrete as a building material with both functional and aesthetic elements created from this substance.
The house was built between 1853 and 1855 by industrialist François Coignet next to his factory and stands as France's first residential structure made entirely of concrete. In 1855, fourteen architects led by Henri Labrouste assessed the building's innovative concrete techniques.
The house demonstrates how concrete gradually entered everyday architecture as a new building material. The ornamental facade with moldings and railings was for many people their first encounter with a structure made from this modern substance.
The house is located in Saint-Denis at two listed addresses and stands out due to its unusual architecture. Visitors should know that it is registered as a protected monument and the exterior remains well maintained.
Coignet developed a specialized concrete mixture using coal ash and limestone, creating a more economical building material than traditional stone. This formula allowed decorative elements to be produced more affordably without sacrificing visual quality.
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