LA MAISON INTERNATIONALE AGROPARISTECH (MINA)

HISTORY

1928: the first residence for engineering students at the Cité Internationale

The first wing of MINA opened in 1928, the second a year later. The building was the first House for engineering students at the Cité Internationale.

The picturesque residence was financed by the French Ministry of Agriculture and designed by the architect René Patouillard.

Did you know?
René Patouillard-Demoriane received the Premier Grand Prix d’Architecture in 1895 and also designed the École des Beaux Arts in Nancy, the Institut National Agronomique on Rue Claude Bernard in Paris and the town hall in the 5^th arrondissement of Paris.

French and foreign students at the Institut National Agronomique have always been first in line for MINA accommodation, though rooms are also given to foreign residents from other Houses at the Cité Internationale in accordance with the latest policy designed to bring people together from different countries and cultures.

2007: AgroParisTech founded

AgroParisTech was founded on 1 January 2007 through a merger between three graduate institutes (Grandes Ecoles) in science and engineering in the Ile-de-France region: Institut National Agronomique Paris-Grignon (INA-PG), Ecole Nationale du Génie Rural, des Eaux et des Forêts (ENGREF) and Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Industries Agricoles et Alimentaires (ENSIA).

Since 2007, MINA has provided accommodation for AgroParisTech students while at the same time promoting a mix with students from other Houses at the Cité Internationale.

2008-2009: 15 months to completely refurbish the House

In September 2008, the residence was closed for major renovation and modernisation work to ensure compliance with fire safety standards, install, enclose and smokeproof two new staircases, replace all technical fittings (electricity, plumbing, gas, etc.), refit communal spaces, create shared kitchens on every floor, rearrange the entrance hall, reception and offices, and set up an IT network with high-speed internet access allowing all students to connect from their room.

The architect Hervé Pellereau was given the task of overseeing the renovation project.

Did you know?
Renovation work made it possible to equip each room with individual bathroom fixtures (shower, sink and toilet) and provide disabled access throughout the building with the addition of eight specially adapted rooms for people with reduced mobility.
Building renovations also reflect High Quality Environmental (HQE) standards: internal thermal insulation 10cm thick, installation of two-way ventilation, efficient shower systems and flow reducers on taps.
In addition, the 40 square metres of roof-mounted solar panels will cover half of residents’ hot-water needs every year—a real milestone at the Cité Internationale!
Renovations are covered by the Cité Internationale’s sustainable development charter, which MINA signed in April 2009 along with all other on-site residences and services.