Dream Home Built Around Nature With a Black Wood Frame

#architecture #housedesign #housetour
Architects: OECO Architectes
Area: 206 m²
Year: 2023
Photographs:Laurent Wangermez
Design Team: OECO Architectes
City: Biscarrosse
Country: France
The pandemic couldn't stop their dream. A Parisian couple, longing for a tranquil retirement on the sunny coast of southern France, found their architectural soulmate in our agency. Despite the unusual circumstance of conducting all design discussions via video calls, a strong connection formed. Our first face-to-face meeting wouldn't happen until the construction itself began!
Their vision - a haven nestled amidst nature. Their chosen location - a golf development perched on an Atlantic dune, dotted with mature trees. Our challenge - to design a home that integrated seamlessly with the existing flora while catering to both their needs and future rental aspirations.
The resulting design was a symphony of volumes and nature. We meticulously preserved existing trees, their presence dictating the almost organic layout of the house. Single-sloped roofs mimicked the gentle incline of the dune. Inside, every room offered a captivating vertical view, framing glimpses of treetops reaching towards the sky. Large windows blurred the lines between interior and exterior, creating a constant dialogue with the surrounding greenery. The landscape design further emphasized privacy, with strategically positioned plants screening neighboring properties without sacrificing the natural ambience. The topography of the dune itself played a role, with the house subtly sunken compared to the road access, creating a sense of seclusion.
Uniquely, one of the volumes stood completely independent - a studio designed for seasonal rentals or visiting relatives. Privacy was paramount for this space, achieved through a vertical layout and its own micro-garden haven. Stepping inside, the studio unfolded with a double-height living area that connected seamlessly with the bedroom above. A clever design allowed the bedroom to be closed off with large, pivoting wooden panels, transforming it into a private sanctuary. A suspended staircase, crafted from wood and metal, became a sculptural centerpiece, its metal rods extending upwards to form the bedroom's railing.
Minimalism reigned supreme. The couple desired clean lines and built-in functionality. Wood became the undisputed hero of the project. Timber-framed walls and a traditional timber frame formed the main structure, with only the foundation and ground floor requiring concrete. Black-stained Douglas cladding, reminiscent of pine bark, adorned the exterior, morphing subtly under the dappled shade of the trees. Inside, local Landes pine paneling warmed the walls and ceiling of the studio, while oak graced specific areas within the main house, highlighting the distinct yet harmonious volumes. Custom-designed and built-in furniture, crafted from oiled pine and oak, exemplified the minimalist aesthetic and provided ample storage solutions.
The landscape design echoed the philosophy of the house - respect for nature and a seamless blend. Existing trees continued to be the stars of the show, while strategic new plantings ensured privacy. The detached studio functioned as its own green haven with a meticulously designed micro-landscape surrounding its large bay window. The terrace, an extension of the interior living space, flowed effortlessly outwards, bordered by a thoughtfully sloped garden bed teeming with plants of varying heights. This haven, a testament to human and natural design in perfect harmony, awaited the Parisian couple, ready to embrace them in the serene embrace of the southern French coast.
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