Renée Gailhoustet facts for kids

Renée Gailhoustet (born September 15, 1929 – died January 4, 2023) was a famous French architect. She was well-known for her important work in designing social housing in the Paris area. Social housing provides affordable homes for people who might not be able to afford market-rate housing.

Early Life and Education

Renée Gailhoustet was born in Oran, French Algeria, on September 15, 1929. She first studied philosophy before deciding to become an architect. She then studied architecture at the École des beaux-arts in Paris. She finished her studies and graduated in 1961.

Designing for Communities

In 1962, Renée Gailhoustet joined a company led by Roland Dubrulle. There, she helped plan the renovation of the center of Ivry-sur-Seine, a town near Paris. She later became the main architect for this big project, working alongside Jean Renaudie. In 1964, she opened her own architecture firm.

Together with Renaudie, she came up with a special "terraced" design for buildings in Ivry. Instead of building huge, plain apartment blocks, she designed many different types of buildings. These buildings were separated by open spaces, which created new and interesting views for the town. Her goal was to make social housing feel more open and welcoming.

Key Projects and Ideas

Between the late 1960s and mid-1980s, Gailhoustet designed many important buildings in Ivry. These included the Raspail, Lénine, Jeanne-Hachette, and Casanova towers. She also designed the Spinoza complex and the terraced apartment buildings called Le Liégat and Marat.

Another great example of her work is the La Maladrerie district in Aubervilliers. This project was finished in 1984. It included a mix of different types of homes, a place for older people, art studios, and shops. By offering many choices, she believed that "each inhabitant can use the town as he wishes." This meant people could enjoy their living spaces in ways that suited them best.

Most of Renée Gailhoustet's projects are in the suburbs of Paris. Besides Ivry-sur-Seine and Aubervilliers, her work can be found in Saint-Denis (where she renovated the Ilot Basilique from 1981–1985), Villejuif, Romainville, and Villetaneuse. She also completed two projects on the island of La Réunion. Interestingly, Renée Gailhoustet lived in one of the buildings she designed herself.

Later Life

Renée Gailhoustet also shared her knowledge by teaching. She taught at the École Spéciale d'Architecture from 1973 to 1975. She also wrote several books about her ideas on architecture and urban planning.

Renée Gailhoustet passed away on January 4, 2023, at the age of 93. Her work left a lasting impact on social housing and urban design in France.

See also

In Spanish: Renée Gailhoustet para niños