Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Foncillon Residence, located at the corner of Foncillon Street and the Doctor-Audouin in Royan (Charente-Maritime), is a residential building built between 1950 and 1959 as part of the reconstruction after the Second World War. Designed by the architect Louis Simon, it is inspired by Auguste Perret's style, notably by the use of cement coated in facade, but distinguished by its plan, its luminous contrasts and the polychromy of loggias. The building consists of two blocks of five levels (including a ground floor dedicated to parking), comprising fifteen units, including duplexes on the 2nd and 3rd floors marked by balconies and loggias.

The architecture highlights structural elements such as poles, beams and cornices, while the rear facades are rhythmic by galleries serving the apartments. The entrance, preceded by a trapezoidal awning, leads to an illuminated stairwell, visible from the galleries and courtyard. The ensemble, inscribed in the historical monuments on November 25, 2004, bears witness to an innovative approach in the reconstruction of the Kingdom, combining functionality and modern aesthetics.

The residence stands out from other achievements of Royan's reconstruction, often marked by modernism, by a personal interpretation of the Perretian style. Protected elements include facades, roofs and common staircase. His architect, Louis Simon, expresses a research on light, volumes and traffic, while meeting the needs of post-war housing. The precise location, 27 Foncillon Street, and its urban integration make it a remarkable example of the 20th century heritage in New Aquitaine.

External links