Can decrepit buildings be renewed without driving out low-income residents? The exhibition “Druot, Lacaton & Vassal – Tour Bois le Prêtre” shows the fascinating metamorphosis of a block of flats from the 60s situated in the suburbs of Paris. The bold conversion carried out by the architects Frédéric Druot and Lacaton & Vassal spared it from demolition; despite improved living conditions rents were not increased and residents could afford to stay. This shining example could be a model for rehabilitating mass housing from the 60s and 70s.
The exhibition designed by Ilka & Andreas Ruby together with Something Fantastic allows visitors to experience hands-on what it is like to live in Tour Bois le Prêtre, for example by means of photo wallpapers and furnishings.
Alongside the exhibition, the documentary “Rabot” and the lecture performance “Rabot 4-358” by Simon Allemeersch will focus on a tower block in Ghent from the 70s where the Belgian artist rented property so that he could study the residents’ lives prior to demolition.