Inventive Dimensions: Apartment Complex Wows With Stunning Perforated Aluminum Balconies

The apartment complex on L’Ile-Saint-Denis in Paris features undulating balconies composed of perforated metal. Designed by Peripheriques Marin+Trottin and Jumeau Architectes, the project overlooks the Seine river. Major construction is underway on L’Ile-Saint-Denis in anticipation for the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games.

Photography courtesy of Sergio Grazia via Dezeen 

Interestingly, this area on Parisian Island contains massive unused construction, in fact a majority of the developed areas are dominated by vacant warehouses. The apartment complex transformed some of these unused industrial buildings into livable space.

Peripheriques Marin+Trottin Architectes collaborated with an abundance of architects including ECDM and Thibaud Babled, and West 8. The development as a whole featured both private apartments and social-housing. The complex sits eight-stories high with mixed-use retail and workshop space on the ground level.

Photography courtesy of Sergio Grazia via Dezeen 

The project’s perforated balustrades create an obvious fluidity and rhythm to the exterior. The balconies offer privacy and security but also, due to their fabrication, the ability to allow natural light to penetrate the interior. The three shades of aluminum match the textured concrete utilized on the Quai du Chatelier facing façade. The intricacy and interwoven nature of the aluminum can only be truly appreciated upon close inspection.

Photography courtesy of Sergio Grazia via Dezeen 

“Perforation is not particularly difficult to replicate or design,” explains Niki Trotter, CEI Materials Design Manager, “it is time consuming, not only to CNC cut, but in terms of quality assurance. It takes countless hours to analyze panels and identify design errors so a design like this one achieves that fluidity and seamless consistency.”

Photography courtesy of Sergio Grazia via Dezeen 

The project utilizes a single-skin aluminum product which allows for unparalleled malleability. Woven into a cylindrical pattern, the use of aluminum allowed for both lightweight and rigidity, not seen in other metals.

Photography courtesy of Sergio Grazia via Dezeen 

DISCLAIMER: CEI Materials did NOT fabricate this project. Inventive Dimensions showcases projects from around the world that exhibit extraordinary three-dimensional designs.