Sarcellite, the word and the images (1950-1975).

Summary :: This article illustrates the roots of a widespread story in France in the early 1960s, the ‘Sarcellite', named after a large housing estate, Sarcelles, which was supposed to cause mental and social disorders. By examining the texts and authors involved, the article shows that many of the components of the 19th century hygienist movement can be found. It then examines the means used to counteract this discourse by local authorities, sociologists and architects, in particular the AUA architectural agency in the 1970s and 1980s, and today in the teaching of architecture schools in France.

Keywords: Large housing estate, Narratives, Architecture, Hygienism

Available in print and online : (p9-19) :https://we.tl/t-yyZr7M2WhN.

This book was made within the research project Middle-Class Mass Housing in Europe, Africa and Asia.

This book includes the articles presented by the authors at the International Conference Optimistic Suburbia 2 – Middle-Class Mass Housing Complexes that was held at ISCTE-IUL in June 2021.

www.crh.archi.fr/spip.php