Pavillon de la Sirène

Located in the Parc-de-Montsouris neighborhood, Rue Dareau is a patchwork of buildings with varied styles and heights. At its heart, a new project by Avenier Cornejo bridges past and present: it draws on the Art Deco references of the area while reinterpreting the 1970s architecture of its iconic neighbor, the Méridien, built by Arthur Héaume and Alexandre Persitz in 1968. The project combines an auditorium for La Sirène de Paris orchestra with 51 apartments for the RIVP, creating a hybrid that celebrates both community and everyday life. Brick and wrought-iron detailing meet modernist lines, turning dwellings into “partitions of life” and urban diversity into a symphony of use. The building occupies a corner plot with three exposures, replacing a single-story structure with six stories above three basement levels. Carefully aligned with the Méridien, it preserves views of neighboring buildings while opening up terraces and semi-sheltered outdoor spaces. The concrete structure is exposed both inside and out, with varied textures—from bush-hammered exterior surfaces to smooth upper floors—highlighting the material’s natural beauty and offering a rich sensory experience in every space. The 51 studios reflect the architects’ ongoing exploration of livability. Designed for students, hospital staff, and police officers, each 20 m² apartment features large windows, often at corner angles, and maximizes usable space through clever storage solutions at the entrance. Kitchens with full-height cabinets and hidden drainers create generous work surfaces, while modular furniture—including beds, benches, and tables—can be reconfigured freely to adapt to individual needs. Adjustable sunshades, wall-hung toilets, and easy-to-clean materials ensure comfort and low maintenance for all residents. Communal spaces extend the living experience beyond the apartments. A shared dining room flows into a gym and semi-covered terrace, while the laundry fosters interaction and convenience. Every element—from structure to furniture—works together to make livability tangible, flexible, and joyful.

Graduates of Paris Villemin, Christelle Avenier and Miguel Cornejo met during their studies. After working with Mathias Klotz in Santiago de Chile and Douglas Deremer in San Francisco, they founded their own firm in Paris. In 2022, they received the Housing Prize from the Académie d’Architecture and the Order of Architects. Christelle was awarded the Women Architect Prize and has been a member of the Académie d’Architecture since 2024. They have taught at the Technische Universität Wien and at ENSA Paris-Malaquais.

From Chile to Savoie, their respective territories, they perhaps inherited a tenacity that leads them to the fundamentals of materials, a sense of responsibility toward communities expressed through a commitment to durability, and a natural disposition for solidarity with artisans, companies, and residents alike.

Press kit upon request