In the Île-de-France region, this building perched atop sculptures is a treasure of contemporary heritage.

In Guyancourt, in the Yvelines, lies one of the most unusual buildings in the Paris region. Its architecture makes it a flagship of contemporary heritage, and this local curiosity definitely deserves a look. In the Villaroy district, the residence Les Caryatides draws the eye with its large female figures placed beneath the buildings, as if they were supporting the whole structure. Their silhouettes recall the Venus de Milo, the famous ancient statue kept at the Louvre.

The Caryatids were created in 1992 by architect Manuel Núñez-Yanowsky (also sometimes spelled Manolo Núñez-Yanowsky). He is known for buildings where historical references play a conspicuous role: he is also behind the Picasso Arenas in Noisy-le-Grand. In Guyancourt, he revives the ancient idea of the caryatid: a female statue used as an architectural support. In ancient Greece, these figures could replace columns. Here, the principle is scaled up, with a contemporary touch and a spectacular aim.

What strikes you first are the sculptures. They aren’t just decorative. They’re tucked under the building, positioned in a way that makes them look as if they’re literally bearing the structure. The effect also comes from the contrast. The building’s lines are straight, repetitive, very urban. The statues, by contrast, bring a more classical form, almost museum-like. It’s this blend that gives the building its character. You can sense an ancient reference, yet it’s used within a contemporary residential complex.

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The building is a product of postmodern architecture. This movement, dominant from the 1970s to the 1990s, likes to reuse forms from the past: columns, pediments, statues, antique or classical references. But it doesn’t always take them in a serious or subtle way. It may enlarge them, twist them, or blend them with modern shapes.

The Caryatids of Guyancourt are not an ancient monument, but they are part of the Paris region's contemporary heritage. They speak to a era when architects were pushing boundaries in the new towns. The boldest designs aren’t always reserved for institutions: the Paris region is also home to a wealth of unconventional residential buildings!

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