The Descartes cluster, Europe's largest campus for the city of tomorrow, soon to be connected to the Grand Paris Express, is also the most prospective urban research area for city players. Among the many university buildings already present (ENSIEE Engineering & Management, Ecole des Ponts ParisTech, Institut Français d'Urbanisme, etc.), this student residence operation promoted by the Centre Régional des Oeuvres Universitaires et Scolaires ranks among the student service programmes that are appropriated outside research hours.

The design is informed by a broad consideration of this context.

As a piece of a large, fast-moving jigsaw puzzle, the building is designed to be flexible in order to adapt to future modes of living.

Built on a post-and-beam wood-concrete structural principle, it can eventually adapt to the needs of the campus.

Organised around a central patio with open walkways, the architecture is based on the principles of the Familistère de Guise by the architect Jean-Baptiste André Godin.

Neighbourly relations between students can be established in a warm and fluid wooded interior space.

Generous outdoor terraces, most of which are south-facing, extend the rooms with "extra space".

The thick facades, designed by the revealed logic of the wooden structure, give a warm feeling of interiority.