4 unités LC - Architecture Insights

Co-operative Services It has been particularly difficult for the ‘Unité’ of Firminy-Vert to
gain funding for improvements to the building, as it relies almost
The building co-operative of the ‘Unité’ of Firminy-Vert, is quite
similar to that of Rezé-les-Nantes, in the sense that it provides a
small group of very passionate members that have dedicated much
of their lives to the upkeep and functioning of the building. 31 It is
these members that have appealed to the various organisations
that have provided them with the finances for renovations and
promotional material for tourism. Difficulties are frequently
experienced by the group with the local governing authorities that
are not at all supportive of their efforts. But their conviction and
determination to achieve their goals in spite of this, is a true
testament to their dedication.
The co-operative also promotes a greater appreciation and
understanding of the design and history of the ‘Unité’ with in the
building’s residents – knowledge their habitat transmitted mainly
through the activities of the clubs and workshops the co-operative
organises. 32 These clubs equally facilitate the friendships formed
by the residents with in their building community that are evident
in the comradeship displayed around the building on a daily basis.
134. A club room of the ‘Unité’
in Firminy-Vert providing a
communal painting studio and
woodwork room for the
residents. A timber cutout ot
the ‘Modulor Man’ leans up
against the window.
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entirely on government organisations, and has not benefited from
the support of any private associations or owners in the way of
Marseille and Briey-en-Forêt. It is also unlike the ‘Unité’ of Rezéles-Nantes,
in the fact that it is entirely owned by the Local
Government Social Housing Office that rents each apartment out to
each of the residents, and does not offer the same opportunity of
progressive apartment purchase. Because of this lack of private
ownership, it has been difficult for the building co-operative to gain
sufficient support and finance to improve the building’s state.
But although the ‘Unité’ of Firminy-Vert is in the worst state of all
the ‘Unités’ in France – with the entire northern end still closed,
and now the roof top school as well – it actually has a much more
relaxed and friendly atmosphere than any of the others. For the
residents are not demanding people, and although they do have
dreams and visions for the future towards which they will continue
to strive, they remain contented with what they do still have – a
home with history, complexities and stories, a close and friendly
community, and consequently, a general standard of living far
higher than most other HLMs could ever offer. 33