ARTS ET MÉTIERS HOUSE

HISTORY

One house opened in 1950…

Arts et Metiers House was built to house students in their last year of studies at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers (ENSAM), and this decision by such a prestigious institution to construct within the Cité internationale reconfirmed the site’s standing in public opinion. The original residence was a classically inspired edifice with 335 rooms, financed in part by a donation from the association of ENSAM alumni. It was designed by Urbain Cassan, Max Bourgoin and Georges Paul and opened its doors in 1950.

Did you know?
One of the architects who designed Arts et Métiers House, Urbain Cassan, made his reputation designing railway stations and is famous for his contributions to other major projects in Paris, such as the university campus of Jussieu and the Montparnasse tower.

… and another in 1961

Given that the class size at ENSAM had doubled, a second building was constructed in 1961 to house the growing student body. It was designed to resemble the original building, and the two are connected by a walkway that spans the ring road. In all, the residence includes 720 beds (plus a sports room in the newer building), which makes it the largest house in the Cité internationale.

Did you know?
Renovations were undertaken between 1998 and 2003 in both buildings to improve the rooms and common areas.