Self-Helped Housing Rouen

For the Fabrik à Yoops initiative in Rouen, DGJ Paysages is developing a small-scale residential environment consisting of three compact houses and an urban food garden. The project aims to provide affordable housing for people in vulnerable situations while supporting their social reintegration.
The site, provided by SNCF under a temporary lease, is located within walking distance of existing social infrastructure. In close collaboration with the Fabrik à Yoops team, we developed a spatial concept that combines private living units with open communal spaces.
Particular attention is given to the orientation of the houses, the quality of outdoor spaces, and the creation of a clear structure for interaction between residents and neighbours. The central element of the project is a low-maintenance food garden, based on permaculture principles, which supports both self-sufficiency and social exchange.
The project demonstrates how minimal architectural and landscape interventions can create a dignified living environment. Instead of relying on complex theoretical approaches, the focus lies on practical solutions that directly improve everyday life.