In Seine-Saint-Denis, the clever housing for migrants by architect Patrick Rubin

Architect Patrick Rubin of the firm Canal has transformed the former National Road Information Center, known as Bison Futé, in Rosny-sous-Bois (Seine-Saint-Denis) into a housing complex for 169 migrants. The project, commissioned by social landlord Batigere Habitats Solidaires, preserves the original 1986 half-moon building by Ludwik Peretz and Gilbert Delecourt, adding a new floor and a rear half-crown structure. Rubin used 79 prefabricated modules (17–25 m² each), built in workshops near Lyon, each equipped with a bed, kitchenette, bathroom, and window. Inspired by ship cabin manufacturing in Dunkirk and traditions of tiny houses and capsule hotels by Charlotte Perriand, Herman Hertzberger, and Shigeru Ban, the modules were craned into place. The project faced delays due to differing tolerances between concrete and wood construction, pushing delivery from early 2026 to late 2026.

This project matters because it offers a scalable, innovative solution to the housing crisis, particularly for migrants and the homeless. Rubin argues that millions of square meters of empty office space in Île-de-France could be repurposed by inserting similar prefabricated modules, potentially addressing a significant portion of the region's housing shortage. The approach combines architectural ingenuity with social urgency, demonstrating how modular construction can be adapted to existing structures quickly and efficiently. Rubin also published a book about the project, "L'Ami Bison Futé," highlighting his dual role as builder and storyteller.