bernard buhler: residence origami layers form and color

bernard buhler: ‘residence origami’ layers form and color
image © vincent monthiers
all images courtesy of agence bernard bühler

zac borderouge, a residential sector of toulouse, france, has come to life with ‘residence origami’  a colorful development designed by bernard buhler. to the south, east and west, the footprint is enlarged by terraces wrapped in a slatted wooden screen that extends beyond the building’s profile in angular forms. slivers of lime green shades loggias where the building’s timbered skin has been cut away in asymmetrical geometries. bold yellow walls that enclose the interior are visible behind the diaphanous sunshade, and are completely exposed where an alley cuts a void between two distinct volumes. balconies with whimsical railings and an irregular pattern of windows project into this space. below ground, a garage occupies the entire site footprint, connecting the individual masses and providing 36 parking spaces.

the facade is characterized by rich textures and geometric cutouts
image © vincent monthiers

the slatted finish adds privacy and sunshading, while plastic louvers add color and fun
image © vincent monthiers

south facade
image © agence bernard bühler

(left) looking west along the boardwalk
(right): looking east along the boardwalk
images © vincent monthiers

(left): the project is divided into two volumes. the facing facades are bright yellow 
(right): terraces enclosed in whimsical railings protrude into the space
images © vincent monthiers

the north facade is solid in conrast to those of east, west and south
image © vincent monthiers

project info:

project name : residence origami
location : rue bertran lot 4.2, zac borderouge, toulouse, france
program : completion of 47 residential units and 36 parking spaces 
client : promologis
name of the firm : agence bernard bühler
name of the architect : bernard bühler
website : www.bernard-buhler.com
architect associated : n°5, marie bühler architecte
consulting engineers : ETBA (bétons) CGB concept (thermique) freddy charrier (paysagiste)
structure system : concrete, wood casing
energy performance of building : THPE 
photografer or infographist : agence bühler / vincent monthiers (cf. index)
milestone dates:
competition : june 2008
design : january 2009 – june 2010
construction : june 2010 – may 2012
delivery : may 2012
surface areas and costs:
site area : 1937 m²
building area : 3489 m² gross / 3121 m² shabnet
gross floor area : 3920 m² shob
total building cost : (€ HT): 4 170 000 € HT hors vrd et espaces verts