'Coallia', a residence for migrant workers in Paris, features a unique facade design that helps it to stand out from the classically designed buildings that surround it. The facade is composed of angled terra cotta panels that are covered in reflective, iridescent enamels, causing the building to appear to shimmer in the sun.
Coallia was built by Peripheriques Arichitectes to serve as public housing for migrants. The paneling that covers it thus acts as something of a metaphor. Just as the panels reflect the sky and surrounding buildings while changing and distorting them into something iridescent and beautiful, the workers who live there reflect the mores of Parisian society while changing them through the reflective enamel of their own life experience.
Shimmering Apartment Facades
'Coallia' is Covered in an Enameled Paneling That Reflects Light
Trend Themes
1. Reflective Facades - The use of reflective materials in building facades to create eye-catching designs and draw attention to structures.
2. Iridescent Enamels - The use of iridescent enamels in facade designs to create unique color and light effects that enhance the aesthetic appeal of buildings.
3. Metaphoric Architecture - Architecture that uses design elements as metaphors to reflect the societal or cultural context of a building or its occupants.
Industry Implications
1. Construction - Construction companies can utilize the use of reflective and iridescent materials to create unique and visually striking designs for their buildings.
2. Architecture - Architects can incorporate metaphorical and storytelling elements into their designs to add depth and meaning to their structures.
3. Real Estate - Real estate developers can market buildings with unique and standout facade designs to appeal to buyers or renters looking for distinctive living or working spaces.