In a few words
Spring 2019, the collective of architects Zerm contacts Yes We Camp: the city of Roubaix is launching a call for expressions of interest for the temporary occupation of a 6500m² convent, empty for more than 10 years, listed as a monument heritage historic and located in the Epeule district.
We are preparing with them the project entitled “a laboratory of applied frugality”, which crosses three challenges: creating a joyful and welcoming place to live for a neighborhood in difficulty, experimenting with a Zero-waste lifestyle, deploying in a building in high heritage value. Our team works regularly on the project according to the formats and needs of the Zerm team: narration and overall operating model, project management, support for the management process of shared places, launch of the reception of workshop occupants- offices, a hostel and group reception, organization of participatory workcamps to transform the uses of the former convent step by step.
We won in October 2019, and two months later, a first one-week camp-site was set up to set up a living base on site: fitting out of a construction workshop, pilot offices, a shared kitchen. and the first rooms to begin to inhabit the premises.
Today, around ten people from the Zerm collective live on site. The courtyard of the old school is open every Sunday to residents, a summer program is taking shape for the neighborhood children, partnerships are forged with local actors, the first structures are set up in the offices and the hostel. is preparing to welcome these first visitors.
Key information
Dates
2019 — …
In numbers
10 new residents in the old convent
40 occupants in the premises
30 places in four-poster beds or closed beds
4 outdoor spaces, an old chapel and a large hall to host events
Partners
La ville de Roubaix
The city of Roubaix provides funding for work related to roofs and windows, various networks and fire compliance.
Agence Nationale de la Cohésion Territoriale
L’Agence Nationale de la cohésion Territoriale, via l’AMI Tremplin Asso, finance les investissements minimum et le travail d’accompagnement pour aider au développement de tiers lieux dans les Quartier Politique de la Ville.
To remember
- The interest and facilitation of the implementation of a frugal and iterative project by the city of Roubaix and the State via the AMI and the shared management of the project.
- The quality of the working environment between Yes We Camp and Zerm via the different formats of meetings and learning and the tailor-made support that results from it: complementarity of skills, responsiveness, trust and complicity.
- The importance of the architectural quality of the place and the enthusiasm it arouses.
- The care taken in preserving the buildings triggered by the permanent presence of inhabitants on the site.