Patrick Rubin's modular migrant housing in Seine-Saint-Denis

Architect Patrick Rubin transforms a former road information center (Bison Futé) in Rosny-sous-Bois into housing for 169 migrants. The project, commissioned by social landlord Batigere Habitats Solidaires, preserves the original 1986 half-moon building by Ludwik Peretz and Gilbert Delecourt, adding a new floor and a half-crown structure on the rear. Rubin used 79 prefabricated wooden modules (17–25 sqm each) made in Lyon workshops, each with a bed, kitchenette, bathroom, and window. Inspired by ship cabin manufacturing in Dunkirk and traditions of tiny houses by Charlotte Perriand, Herman Hertzberger, and Shigeru Ban, the modules can be linked for community spaces. Construction faced delays due to differing tolerances between concrete (1 cm) and wood (1 mm), pushing completion from early 2026 to late 2026. Rubin advocates using similar modules in empty office spaces across Île-de-France, where 7 million sqm of offices are vacant. He also published a book about the project, 'L'Ami Bison Futé'.