Maison Duchesne

Saint-Louis Senegal ¦ World Heritage UNESCO

The restoration work essentially consists of securing and safeguarding this building, the last remaining private commercial building with a tower. It required substantial structural interventions, such as St Andrew’s cross bracing and perimeter concrete ring beams. The roof structure was entirely renewed and redesigned; it seems to rest like lace on the parapets. The balconies were the subject of careful study. The choice of short balconies, interrupted at the corner, emphasises the building’s corner and accentuates its verticality. (Architect Laurent Biot)