Renee Gailhoustet

This book presents the work of the French architect Renee Gailhoustet (1929-2023). A pioneering figure in the provision of generous and adaptable social housing in the communist red suburbs of Paris in the 1970s-1980s, Gailhoustet has been largely forgotten by histories of post-war architecture, only gaining recognition for her contributions in the past several years. Three of her most prominent projects are illustrated with architectural drawings and contemporary photography, highlighting the projects' interlocking concrete forms and integration of lush garden terraces. Texts in both English and French contextualise her practice and projects, situating them in the context of post-war housing construction in France and showing how her architecture opens to residents' differing needs, the irregularity of the interior spaces asserting her belief in the architect as a defender of the right to difference. With contributions by Gilles Delalex, Katherine Fiumani and Magda Maaoui, with photographs by Sacha Trouiller and drawings by NVBL Architects.