F POUILLON S HERITAGE MODERNIZATION OF OLD CONSTRUCTION ... · Fernand Pouillon’s heritage: Modernization of old construction methods Louiza MOHAMMEDI, mina ABDESSEMED FOUFA, Mustapha

International Journal of Human Settlements Vol. 2 . Nr.3 . 2018

Fernand Pouillon’s heritage: Modernization of old construction methods Louiza MOHAMMEDI, mina ABDESSEMED FOUFA, Mustapha CHEIKH ZOUAOUI Received: 14 December 2017 • Revised:26 August 2018 • Accepted: 21 December2018

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

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FERNAND POUILLON ’S HERITAGE : MODERNIZATION OF OLD CONSTRUCTION METHODS

Louiza MOHAMMEDI PhD Student, , Laboratory ETAP, Institute of Architecture and urban planning, Saad Dahleb Blida1, e-

mail: [email protected]

Amina ABDESSEMED FOUFA Lecturer, Dr, Arch, Laboratory ETAP, Institute of Architecture and urban planning, Saad Dahleb

Blida1, e-mail: [email protected]

Mustapha CHEIKH ZOUAOUI Lecturer, Dr, Arch, Laboratory ETAP, Institute of Architecture and urban planning, Saad Dahleb

Blida1, e-mail: [email protected] Abstract:

During the decade preceding the independence of Algeria, the French architect Fernand Pouillon marked the Algerian context by many architectural projects. With deficiency in residences, the needs for re-housing the Moslem community of the shantytowns as well as the urgency to build in quantity, quickly and at lower cost, were the conditions to satisfy immediately. However, at that time both cement and steel were insufficient, and to find materials of replacement constitutes a major task. In this respect, Pouillon conceived and implemented material diversity as well as constructive modes in stone masonry in its projects. This alternative, allows cost effective constructions with a better quality and resistance. Indeed, contrary to the "HLM" constructions of the time, which were built expensive and within long times, Pouillon was able to maintain not only the costs and the deadlines but also the quality and the comfort of the inhabitants. The choice of the "prefabricated stone" of Paul Marcerou, gives place to several modes of implementation and is accompanied by complementary technical research that Pouillon tested in the whole of Tourette in Marseilles, then continues with the 200 residences of Aix in Provence, and finally the Algerian operations. The scope of the present research is the revelation of the built heritage of Fernand Pouillon in Algeria. Based on the work of preceding researchers as well as on some in-situ investigations, this research is thus a contribution to rediscover the traditional materials and innovating construction methods, implemented by this architect.

Key words: Fernand Pouillon; Stone masonry; Traditional materials; Construction methods Introduction:

In recent years, researchers have shown increased interest in the housing estates built after the Second World War, in particular the achievements of Fernand Pouillon. A considerable literature has grown up around this theme; in the field of town planning, the history of architecture, technology, economics or sociology and geography.




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An increasing number of publications focusing on the innovative and experimental nature of

the constructive experiences of this period have multiplied. There is a renewed interest in Pouillon’s work. In the process of the patrimonialization of some of his achievements, an international event was dedicated to him and several researchers have invested to try to advance the innovative character of his buildings. This research completes the previous work on this architect. Nevertheless, the development of this research was mainly motivated by an important perspective for preservation and protection of the Pouillon’s heritage, which testifies to the time of reconstruction. It is also one of the objectives of this research. Beyond the enrichment of knowledge on urban complexes, the objective is to highlight the interest of constructive processes, more precisely their originality. The Mediterranean architecture of Fernand Pouillon is characterized by a special combination of innovation and traditional material. The housing estates designed and built around the period of the Second World War represent a particular blend of tradition and innovation methods. The peculiarity of his attitude with regard to this aspect was the fact that he did not face it only as a designer. But, he thought of both as project manager, artist, inventor and engineer (Abdessemed Foufa, 2016). In order to overcome the conditions and economic policies imposed by the French authorities. Pouillon had to find the right solutions defined by the combination of modern and traditional materials. Having continuity was the basic principle, structural work in traditional building methods maintained through the use of locally available materials. At the time when concrete and steel were widely used, he chose to build with Fontvieille's "prefabricated stone". Unlike the chapel of modern architects, he will continually use the heritage and history of architecture as a source of impression and creation. This architecture gathers a rigor of the Romanesque architecture, the boldness of the Gothic structures and the purity of Greek art. He even drew his inspiration from the Casbah, a real city still living by retaining its architectural concepts for the Diar's of Algiers. He pointed out that "the conclusions that should be made at the time of the auction influenced the construction and, ten years later, all the principles of my study were adopted without ever waiting for perfection" (Pouillon, 1968). In other words, the construction principles of Pouillon, widely criticized by the modernists, became after years a reference in the field of architecture. Historical context of constructive innovation emergence

From a historical point of view, it should be reminded that the conditions prevailing during this period favored innovation and the emergence of new constructive processes. After




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the Second World War, France had to cope with demographic and urban growth, to rebuild a production apparatus that would enable it to meet housing and equipment needs and to increase the number of dwellings built annually by ten in fifteen years (Belayat, 1984). But this is made possible thanks to the policies adopted by the French authorities for the purpose of improving the construction processes of residential buildings. In particular, the industrialization of the construction sector, the organization in 1943 of the first "experimental shipyards" contests by the Technical Commissariat of Real Estates Reconstruction (CTRI) (Lambert, 2009), the encouragement of the construction of powerful enterprises. In addition to this, the development of a body of rules, prescriptions and norms, were carried out in parallel during this period and gave rise to a multitude of attempts and urban operations. Certainly, the shortage of housing in France after the war and the urban thrust of the thirty years that followed cannot be compared with their magnitude to the situation prevailing in Algeria. The growth of French cities at that time is hardly compared to that of the slower growing Algerian city. Nevertheless, Algeria constitutes a vast field of experience for Pouillon, whose lessons can be useful for a country facing a shortage of housing. Thus, Pouillon is inscribed in the augurs of the government but with a peculiar vision to him (Hugron, 2017). Natural stone is reintroduced as an architectural material at the beginning of the 20th century, because of some architects interested in cutting stone as a simpler architectural process than reinforced concrete (Barone, 2013). Therefore, the French works of Fernand Pouillon constitute a fundamental step in urban, technical and architectural transformations. Industrialization requires the mass production of prefabricated stone. The grant from the ministry of stone mining in the quarries has allowed Paul Marcérau to invent a stone cutting machine to the millimeter. Thus the prefabricated stone presents an interesting solution to the problem of insufficient cement and steel. The enormous quantities of stone extracted and cut by this machine were used for the construction of large housing complexes in France and Algeria. The choice of the cut stone corresponds to this fundamental attitude which consists in staying in the line of a tradition, exploiting and renewing ancestral knowledge (Bonillo, 2001). One of the factors that determined our interest in Pouillon’s works is the best conservation status of these housing today, compared to those constructed at the same time with other constructive techniques. Unlike the HLM (Low-income housing) buildings of this time, those of Pouillon continue, after all these years, to testify on their solidities. Case study

Fernand Pouillon declares in an interview that he is a very prolific builder (Marrey, 2011). Mainly three countries France, Algeria and Iran were marked by his intervention.




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Between 1953 and 1984, he designed many works that vary between housing estates, university housing estates, tourist complexes, military cities, villas, hotels and restaurants. Such a large number of projects cannot be dealt with in a single paper. Thus, in this research, we will focus on the materials and the constructive systems of masonry present in this constructions. Urban operations in France such as; the Tourette in 1948, the reconstruction of the Old Port of Marseille and the two hundred dwellings Aix-en-Provence in 1951, etc.... The Diar's of Algiers: Diar Es Saada in 1953, Diar El Mahçoul in 1954 and Climat de France in 1958. Figure 1 shows two examples; in France, the 260 units "La

Tourette"(a), and in Algeria, the city "Diar El Mahçoul" in Algiers (b).

(a) (b)

Fig1. The housing estates of the Tourette in Marseille (a) (APSB, 2017) and the city of Diar El

Mahçoul in Algiers (b). Constructive characteristics of Pouillon’s buildings

The architect Pouillon aims to create modern and comfortable buildings with reliable techniques and cost-effective materials. He does not hesitate to use the precast stone, but he effectively forcibly integrates the brick into the supporting structure associated with small amount of concrete. He uses stone for different functions: bearing, supporting as well as covering. Whether monolithic or rammed, the Fontvieille stone was always present in his various construction projects. This interesting material, also called "crying stone", was widely used in the housing estates of Algiers city. It is transported from quarries by truck to Marseille, and then forwarded by boat to Algiers. It is the same stone used by the Romans for the construction of historic monuments (Pouillon, 1954), such as the Bridge of Gard, one of the most spectacular works of the Roman period (a three-tiered Roman aqueduct classified as UNESCO World Heritage site) and the Arenas of Nîmes (a Roman amphitheater classified as historical monuments). Most of the architectural works of Pouillon are characterized by the following:

• All the exterior load-bearing walls of the building are in blocks of stone connected by mortar pastes.




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• Concrete material is hardly present in these large complexes. It is only used for floors

that are cross-frame, peripheral chaining, foundations and for some prefabricated

elements (stairs).

• Vertically brickwork is used for interior walls.

• To improve the sound and thermal insulation, the ceilings are made of cork plates

coated with plaster (Pouillon, 1953/55).

• For the protection of the cover of the buildings, the terraces are covered with pozzolan

concrete and terracotta debris (Pouillon, 1954).

Combination of traditional knowledge and constructive innovation

Pouillon asserts that ‘the old techniques that are found in old architectural manuals are, in my opinion, no longer appropriate for our time’ (Marrey, 2011). Thus, it is not appropriate to continue carrying out the old constructive techniques, but rather adapting them to the current context. In order to achieve the three principles of low prices, completion deadlines and optimal comfort), Pouillon implemented a set of constructive systems, namely: The Stone block walls

Stone blocks were present in the field of construction during various centuries. However, Pouillon used them in such an expression that made him unique through a technical innovation that nourishes both the project and its esthetic language. In order to save material and ensure both ease and speed of execution, four rows of blocks of stone per level were placed vertically as illustrated in Figure 2.

Fig2. Techniques for assembling blocks of stone on Pouillon construction sites

The rammed stone walls The rammed stone is a construction process designed and implemented by Pouillon in 1948(Lambert, 2009) (APSB, 2017) to reduce the cost of construction and ensure a better quality. This special technique involves using the stone in smaller quantities for the construction of stone walls. It consisted of using small irons embedded in the concrete to attach and seal the stone blocks and reinforced concrete (Fig.3).




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Fig3. The technique of implementation blocks of the rammed stone

Brick load-bearing interior bulkheads

«Murette porteuse " is the name assigned to these internal partitions in the construction reports (APSB, 2017). The particularity of this bricks is in its implementation. As shown in the Figure 4 (a), the bricks are worked upright. Thus, the holes are presented vertically, which requires a little more cement but increases the safety of resistance to crushing and preventing buckling, that is to say deformation under pressure. These brick walls are placed at the junction of the two “Marmittes” and not under the hollow. To achieve best performance likewise stone load-bearing walls, Pouillon special bulkheads consist of precisely thirteen rows of bricks placed vertically (Fig.2) (Sayen, 2014). In this respect, the workers are not obliged to cut the brick with a hammer. This saves considerable time and money, and increases resistance. Cross-ribbed floor

The cross-ribbed floor is the most suitable for this type of structure. It consists of a network of cross ribs and slabs (Fig.2). "Marmites" (Pouillon, 1968) is the term used by Pouillon to designate the slab of a square shape, which serve as a lost formwork. In the housing estates of France, they were made with staff (a building material based on plaster and fibers), but for those in Algiers they were made with concrete. Unlike other box-type flooring, it gives a very neat appearance. Figure 4 (b) shows the appearance of this floor.

(a) (b)




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Fig4. Bricks walls on cross-ribbed floor in the city of Diar Es Saada (a) (Sayen, 2014) and Bottom view of the "Marmites" constituting the crossed rib floor in the city of Diar El Mahçoul (b)

It must be remembered that most of the workers involved in the realization of these large-scale projects are not qualified. So, instead of spending hours in explaining architectural plans, Pouillon, set up a grid. This latter takes the dimensions of the Marmites: 1 meter (about half a cane) regarding the two hundred dwellings of Aix-en-Provence and 60 centimeters in the case of Diar's in Algiers. Thus, they guide the installation of the partitions according to the frame, allowing both the construction of a ceiling united, soundproofed by the cork plates and a layer of plaster. Brick cross-vault

A model widely used in Roman architecture. Through these vaults, Pouillon seeks a structure that obeys both structural concern and aesthetic need. In the market square of the city of Diar El Mahçoul and Diar Es Saada (Fig.5), he opted for the construction of the bridges of parabolic brick edges, which serve as a cover for the days of the walk and serve also as a gallery for the other days (Inhabitants have made modifications to these vaults, for that we will use photos of archive). The vault is formed by the intersection of two barrel vaults of a half-ellipse shape of the same height. The apparatus of these elements is regular. Concerned about the economic aspect, Pouillon has positioned the bricks in a way that will not be wasted by calculating the number of bricks according to the arch. It uses the brick as a base module.

(a) (b)

Fig5. The vaulted brick of the market square in Diar Es Saada (a) (Lucan, 2003) and in Diar El Mahçoul (b) (Cohen., et al,2017)

The filled brick

In large sets the filled brick plays an important aesthetic role. Pouillon invents this coating from the hollow brick, which he fills with concrete (Fig.6). This brick allows a

balance between the full and the empty in design of the facade.




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Fig6. Two models of the filled brick used in the city of Diar El Mahçoul The main results of the combination of traditional knowledge and constructive innovation

The urban complexes of Pouillon were large experimental sites characterized by innovative technical solutions. More and more, it has turned towards fast and economic construction process. He has developed revolutionary constructive methods and techniques. Through the pretentious choice of materials, he managed to solve three problems: low prices, completion deadlines and optimum comfort. Low prices

The Pouillon construction systems have a significant economic gain. As he writes in his memoirs, "Seventeen thousand francs a square meter for a building of great luxury, as much by the aspect as the comfort" (Pouillon, 1968). This was demonstrated in the report to the Ministry on the cost price of the constructions established in 1952 by Gardinier (technical controller of a town planning and reconstruction). For example, "the price of brick-filled

bulkheads was 1,750 francs/m2 in March 1952. It is hardly a quarter of the price of a

reinforced concrete portico filling the same use", as indicated in (Gardinier, 1952). Therefore,

the economic aspect is respected since the cost price per m2 is lower compared to a reinforced

concrete structure. Completion deadlines

The construction methods adopted by Pouillon have ensured competitive delivery times, from the study phase of the project to the completion. First, before execution he specifies that it was not necessary to do lengthy studies. Then, the speed during implementation was achieved through well-organized process (Pouillon, 1956). Diar Es Saada was realized in 14 months, in which the Totem tower of 20 levels was carried out in 96 days by 100 workers working in two positions. Diar El Mahçoul was realized in 16 months, in which the tower of 11 levels was carried out in 36 days by 150 workers working day and night in three posts. Optimum comfort




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The absence of framework and standardized panels allows varying the organization of the interior spaces. Thus, starting from a comfortable and well-organized cell and because of materials used, Pouillon realizes various and diverse buildings which group themselves in an urban center pleasant to live and to inhabit. Pouillon declares in an interview that the most important thing is to ensure the comfort of the soul, that of the bathroom or central heating (Roy, 1977). Conclusion

The results of this survey complement those of previous studies. They reveal the incontestable genius of Pouillon in masterminding noble materials and their implementation. In the same way, its great mastery is a real knowledge in terms of constructive systems that answer both structural and aesthetic criteria. The modernization of the old constructive systems and the use of stone, allowed it to build quickly, better and to ensure lower prices. A winning bet that led him to build in Algiers. In terms of orientations for future research, other work could be directed at the seismic potentialities of this heritage. Since the city of Algiers is subjected to significant seismic activity, verification of the seismic resistance of these construction systems becomes paramount. Study earthquake-resistant design of these masonry buildings is the theme that we plan to analyze in the future publications. Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Catherine Sayen, chairwoman of association "Pierres

Sauvages" of Belcastel, devoted to Fernand Pouillon, for his collaboration and giving information used in this paper. References Abdessemed Foufa A. (2016), L'art de Fernand Pouillon en Algérie: entre Art de bâtir et

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APSB. (2017), Association les Pierres Sauvages de Belcastel. Album de photographies http://www.fernandpouillon.com/association/association.html.

Barone F. (2013), The face of the stone: Traditional construction and tectonic innovation, Proceedings of 2 nd International Balkans Conference on Challenges of Civil Engineering, BCCCE, Epoka University, Tirana, Albania.

Belayat M. (1984), Allocation du Ministre de l’Urbanisme, de la Construction et l’Habitat en Algérie, Acte de Colloque Algéro –français : Les Politiques Techniques de Construction, Sidi Fredj, 12-16 mai 1984. Bonillo J.L. (2001), Fernand Pouillon, architecte méditerranéen, Editions Imbernon, Marseille.

Cohen, J.L. (2017) Alger : Paysage Urbain Et Architectures, 1800-2000, Éditions de L'Imprimeur, collection Tranches de villes.




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Gardinier. (1952), Le rapport au ministère concernant : le prix de revient de la construction.

Ministère de la construction et de l’urbanisme, Paris.

Hugron J.P. (2017), Fernand Pouillon, la pierre sans mystique, Interview avec Jean-Lucien Bonillo. Courrier de l'architecte, publier le 27-03-2013. http://www.lecourrierdelarchitecte.com/article_4320.

Lambert G., Nègre V. (2009), Ensembles urbains, 1940-1977, Les ressorts de l’innovation constructive, Centre d’Histoire des Techniques et de l’Environnement (CNAM).

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Marrey B. (2011), Fernand Pouillon, mon ambition, Editions du Linteau, Paris. Pouillon F. (1953/55), Ville d'Alger, Office public d'habitations à loyer modéré de la ville

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F POUILLON S HERITAGE MODERNIZATION OF OLD CONSTRUCTION ... · Fernand Pouillon’s heritage: Modernization of old construction methods Louiza MOHAMMEDI, mina ABDESSEMED FOUFA, Mustapha