Le Nemausus, Residential complex in Nîmes, France.
Le Nemausus is a residential complex in Nîmes consisting of two elongated buildings with three upper floors that contain 114 housing units for different family sizes. The apartments feature industrial materials, large windows, and extended balconies, while semi-buried parking facilities are situated underneath the structures.
Architect Jean Nouvel designed this social housing project between 1985 and 1987, introducing fresh concepts for residential architecture during post-war urban development. The project demonstrated a growing belief that public housing could be both aesthetically thoughtful and spacious.
The buildings reflect a shift in French social housing philosophy, emphasizing spacious living areas and shared spaces rather than minimal accommodations. This approach was groundbreaking for its time and changed how people thought about dignified housing for all income levels.
The site is easy to navigate since the two buildings are clearly separated and connected by generous outdoor areas. The semi-buried parking facilities are easily visible, and the wide balconies offer views across the city and surrounding landscape.
The structure uses a column system spaced every five meters, which reduces the need for load-bearing walls and creates flexible interior layouts. This allowed residents to adapt their spaces according to their needs.
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