CENTRE HUMANITAIRE PARIS-NORD

2016 — Paris, FR
Temporary Architecture — Humanitarian Centre for Asylum Seekers

Developed in response to the rapidly increasing number of migrants arriving in France and its capital, the Centre Humanitaire Paris Nord provided a temporary reception and accommodation facility for asylum seekers in Paris.

The project transformed a large, disused two-storey SNCF warehouse into an organised and inhabitable environment structured around a series of internal “streets”. These contained refectories, reception areas, circulation routes and residential cabins, creating a temporary yet dignified urban interior capable of accommodating large numbers of people.

Alongside the main hall, an inflated pneumatic structure housed the administrative centre responsible for processing asylum requests, while refurbished shipping containers accommodated offices and medical facilities. Additional elements of circulation and access — including stairs, ramps and walkways — were constructed using timber and scaffolding systems.

The project combined emergency response with architectural adaptability, using lightweight, modular and rapidly deployable construction methods to create functional humanitarian infrastructure under urgent conditions.