Back gardens in the sky! The riotous, post-apocalyptic buildings of ‘eco-brutalist’ Renée Gailhoustet | Architecture

From Eco‑Brutalism to Climate‑Smart Housing: What Renée Gailhoustet Teaches Us About the Future

When the French architect Renée Gailhoustet passed away in 2023, the residents of Le Liégat – a social‑housing block she finished in 1982 – responded with a handmade sign that read “Merci Renée”. The gesture summed up a career that married bold, “eco‑brutalist” forms with everyday green living.

Green Terraces as a Climate‑Resilience Tool

Gailhoustet’s apartments are famous for cascading terraces and loggias filled with a foot of soil, allowing residents to grow a “jardin derrière”. Planting has gradually wrapped the concrete armature of Le Liégat in foliage, creating a post‑apocalyptic, Instagram‑ready aesthetic while providing natural shade and cooling – a concept that feels prescient after a 2003 French heatwave claimed around 15,000 lives (source).

Adaptable Spaces: The Hexagonal Grid Revolution

Behind the apparent complexity of Gailhoustet’s housing lies a simple hexagonal structural grid and lightweight partitions that can be rearranged. This flexibility was designed for changing family patterns and is now a model for “modular, climate‑adaptable” housing that can evolve without costly demolition.

Resident‑Led Design Processes

Gailhoustet’s design workshops used large‑scale physical models to involve tenants directly. Residents initially found the unconventional geometries challenging, but the long‑term love for the homes shows that co‑creation can turn “unprescribed spaces” into cherished places.

From Margins to Mainstream: The Rising Profile of Social‑Housing Innovation

Only recently has her work entered the global conversation. The Architectural Association’s exhibition A Thousand and One Ways of Living features a 1:1 paper installation of a Le Liégat apartment, turning abstract plans into tangible experience. The indicate, curated by Nichola Barrington‑Leach (editor of the forthcoming English‑language monograph), highlights how “you can do so much with so little” – a lesson that resonates with today’s budget‑tight public‑sector projects.

Future Trends Shaped by Gailhoustet’s Legacy

• Vertical Gardens in Social Blocks: The success of rooftop and terrace planting at Le Liégat suggests a surge in communal green roofs for temperature control.
• Modular Floor‑Plans: Hexagonal grids and lightweight partitions are likely to inspire prefabricated modules that can be re‑configured as families grow or shrink.
• Resident Co‑Design Platforms: Digital twins of housing complexes could replace physical models, letting occupants experiment with layouts before construction.
• Eco‑Brutalist Aesthetics: The raw concrete look, softened by vegetation, may grow a signature for affordable, climate‑responsive architecture.
• Heritage‑Driven Regeneration: As residents fight to list Gailhoustet’s buildings, other cities may protect similar post‑war housing as cultural‑environmental assets.

Further Reading

Explore more about the architect’s impact:

• Back gardens in the sky! The riotous, post‑apocalyptic buildings of ‘eco‑brutalist’ Renée Gailhoustet (The Guardian)
• A French social‑housing champion gets a mini‑retrospective in London (The Spaces)
• Discover Renée Gailhoustet and her radical approach to socially engaged housing (wallpaper.com)
• AA installs 1:1 paper installation of Renée Gailhoustet‑designed apartment (Dezeen)

FAQ

What is “eco‑brutalism”?

It is a style that combines raw concrete structures with extensive greenery, creating a rugged yet sustainable aesthetic – a hallmark of Gailhoustet’s work.

Why are terraces important in social housing?

Terraces give residents private gardening space, improve micro‑climates, and foster a sense of ownership, which can boost long‑term satisfaction.

Can Gailhoustet’s modular grid be applied to new projects?

Yes. The hexagonal grid offers structural simplicity while allowing flexible interior partitions, making it adaptable to changing household needs.

How did residents react to the unconventional layouts?

Initial confusion gave way to lasting affection; many residents still cherish the homes and fight to preserve them.

Is there a book that explores her work?

“Renée Gailhoustet”, edited by Nichola Barrington‑Leach, will be published by AA Publications and is available for pre‑order.