Public housing renovation in Bettembourg
Location Bettembourg
Status Permit received- Construction begins spring 2026
Service Architecture
Sectors Public Development
Living area 2.500 m²
Units 4 residences, 18 units
Client Fonds du Logement
Project Team
Saharchitects
Plan B Ingénieur Conseil
ProGroup by Sweco
Buildtec
3D Visualisations
Diego Varan
Built in 1995 and designed by Paul Bretz, these residential buildings in Bettembourg are undergoing renovation for the Fonds du Logement. The ensemble is organised around external circulation galleries, structured by a regular grid that defines both the façades and the access to each dwelling. These galleries run along the façades, providing direct external access to the apartments. Over time, the buildings presented limited thermal performance, exposed circulation spaces and limited access to private outdoor areas for certain dwellings.
While the buildings remain structurally sound and their residential use is unchanged, the project builds on the existing structure, extending and protecting the galleries to enhance their use and environmental performance. A new independent roof structure shelters the circulation from rain and wind, while the increased depth of these galleries allows the introduction of private outdoor areas for the upper-floor apartments.
The intervention extends to a comprehensive upgrade of the thermal envelope. The façades are reworked with rock wool insulation and a ventilated standing seam zinc cladding system, improving both performance and durability. Variations in colour and material contribute to reducing the perceived scale of the existing volumes, allowing the buildings to relate more closely to the surrounding context, characterised by predominantly individual housing. Roof insulation is reinforced with cellulose, windows are replaced with aluminium triple glazing, and thermal bridges are carefully treated throughout. Each dwelling is equipped with double-flow ventilation with heat recovery, ensuring consistent indoor air quality and improved energy efficiency. Photovoltaic panels are integrated on the roofs, contributing to the overall environmental performance of the project.
Carried out within an inhabited environment, the renovation unfolds through a series of precise interventions that enhance comfort, protection and everyday use. Working with the existing structure, the project extends the logic of the original ensemble, allowing it to evolve while remaining anchored in its initial identity.
" The most important thing is that people feel good in the spaces we create."
Peter Zumthor
Before photos
