Located on the banks of an estuary, the D House by Lode Architecture is split between the open ground floor and a series of smaller rooms on the upper floor.

The ground floor has a glazed facade with views down to the water and is centred around an open hearth on one side and a kitchen island on the other.

The wooden steps of the staircase fan out into a cube of shelving. "The main issue here was to find a machine capable of cutting such large pieces," architect Arnaud Lacoste told Dezeen. "Then the assembling was a huge puzzle game."

Upstairs is a series of smaller rooms with cork flooring and dark grey walls.

Two of the bedrooms have their own outdoor balconies screened off by a trellis of narrow chestnut planks.

The architects also extended the wooden trellises to wrap around the entire upper storey. "We used it as a rough material, keeping the natural shape of the wood. This rustic manner makes a strong contrast with the sophisticated glazed facade of the lower floor," said Lacoste.

We previously featured a house in Brittany with stone screens covering sections of its glazed facade.

Other homes in France we've published include a 1970s-inspired beach apartment on the Mediterranean Sea and an angular dark brick extension to a house outside Lille – see all architecture in France.

Photographs by Daniel Moulinet.

Here's some more information from the architects:

D house, Brittany, France

Lode Architecture, 2012

A house for two. Or for twenty.

Beached on the estuary’s banks, where fresh waters meet rising tides, the D house cultivates contradictions. It can be either a shelter or a reception place, an intimate space or the place for partying. It is driven by opposite currents and its character varies depending on its occupants' moods and natural cycles.

When discovering the house, the first thing we catch sight of is the overhanging section. Thanks to a retaining wall, a hollow space appears below. Life is organised here around the hearth, the stairs and a central cooking island.

All around you, panoramic views of the undergrowth and beyond the river are offered by the upstairs floor. Wells of light passing through the upstairs floor invite the sky into this blended landscape.

On the ground, the stone disappears, the windowed angles fade. We live inside the wood.

Upstairs, a succession of small spaces creates a completely different hushed atmosphere. We cross a series of adjoining rooms, lit through wooden trellises which filter the view and dim the light.

Above: site plan

From the bedrooms, you can access outside closed‐in spaces to get fresh air or sunbathe above the living‐room. Nature is all around and envelopes you.

Above: ground floor plan - click above for larger image

The contrasting façades reflect the duality of these spaces. In very different ways they both adopt the same strategy of camouflage: the reflections of the leaves on the glazed surfaces, or the cladding made of untreated planks which imitate the surrounding nature and whose texture merges in the woody environment.

Above: first floor plan - click above for larger image

Sophistication and rusticity, abstraction and materiality, the architecture of the house plays with dialectical sets, just like a landscape drawing its strength from the confrontation of the elements.

Above: north elevation

Completion date: 2012
Area: Brittany, France

Above: south elevation

Dimensions: L 16.10m x l 9.20m x h 6.00m
Living area: 250 m2

Above: west elevation

Structure: concrete walls, steel frame, crosswise laminated timber panels
Façade materials : high insulation glass surfaces, chestnut cladding

Above: east elevation

Flooring materials: stone, cork
Furniture materials: chestnut, laminated veneered lumber (stairs)

Above: cross-section AA

Heating system: geothermal heat pump with vertical collectors
Collaborators: Arnaud Lacoste / Jérôme Vinçon

Above: cross-section BB

Above: cross-section CC

Above: cross-section DD

Above: cross-section EE

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Lode Architecture appeared first on Dezeen.

Weiss wanted to create a contemporary extension, but also respect the traditional materials palette. "The chosen materials are an homage to the existing house, but stay in a modern urban context," the architect explained.

Unlike the original building, which has a vernacular roof, the extension features an asymmetric roofline that slopes upwards at two opposite corners of the building to form a butterfly shape.

The two buildings barely touch, so only a single doorway connects to the existing hallway from a new open-plan living and dining room, while two patios slot into the spaces between.

A new staircase leads up to the first floor, where the irregular shape of the roof provides a faceted ceiling over the extra bedroom and dressing room.

There is no connection to the main house from these rooms, but a doorway leads out to a small terrace on the roof.

See more residential extensions on Dezeen »
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Photography is by Julien Lanoo.

Here's some more information from the architect:

Maison D - Emmanulle Weiss

House D (Maison D) is an extension of a family home in the middle of an urban area on a parcel of land twice as wide as the existing house.

The house doubles the linear qualities of the existing house façade, thus unifining a roadside landscape that was deconstructed before. The extention also doubles the importance of the private family garden.

The House D extension welcomes all the important living functions, private income patio, kitchen and living room, the architect (Emmanuelle Weiss) chose to incorporate on the first level of the extention an equipped sleeping quarter, with bathroom and a well organised dressing room.

The result of this exercise frees up the existing house, wich has mainly become the children's territory. Also now, the complementation of House D makes room to add a large office area in the existing house, addapted to the professional life of its inhabitants.

The volume, high levels, low levels: "zones" create a dialogue with the existing typical style house. All the volumes in House D translate into its roofline, bringing a richness to the space. Natural light embraces the volume, sometimes directly, sometimes reflected, it fills the complete project and living quarters.

House D is an answer to the existing devision of the main house. Its functional properties talk directly to the vertical circulations of the existing house, it opens up living space.

To link the old and new together, the architect chose to use a minimal contact between both architectures. The new differentiates itself on the outside by two little patios, only linking itself to the old on the interior where the new encroaches into the hallway.

The chosen materials are an homage to the existing house, but stay in a modern urban context. Dark bricks (reflecting back on a modern way to the dark old red bricks typical for this area) and aluminium detailing show subtle hints to thier surroundings.

Above: ground floor plan

Above: first floor plan (extension only)

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Emmanuelle Weiss appeared first on Dezeen.

To recreate the rhythms and patterns of the traditional local buildings, JKA and FUGA used one-inch-thick roughly sawn spruce planks, which they had to source over a year in advance. "Only a few trunks presented enough nodes and few clapboards big enough were able to be pulled from each trunk," architect Jérémie Koempgen told Dezeen.

In typical Alpine barns the gaps between disjointed wooden planks would allow air to circulate round drying hay, but at Villa Solaire the gaps between each panel simply let extra light into the rooms inside.

The architects studied the shadows cast onto the villa by neighbouring buildings to determine the positions of the cut-out patterns. "The pattern within the cladding is designed to respond to the path described by these shadows. The areas receiving a greater amount of sun are all the more open," Koempgen said.

Originally they planned to cut the wood digitally before installation, but instead found it easier and more economical to attach the boards to the building frame first, then stencil on the patterns and employ a local carpenter to cut them by hand. "The construction marks slowly disappear but the cladding keeps the valor and traces of the handmade work," Koempgen explained.

The framework of the original farmhouse was restored, which the architects describe as an unusual practice. "A lot of operations on old farmhouses used to cut out the wood structure of the first level and replace it with concrete structures. In our case, the existing skeleton was integrally conserved," added Koempgen.

Inside the two-story house, a ground floor wading pool is surrounded with recycled slate tiles that were originally used to cover the roof.

Bedroom suites and a kitchen are located on the first floor and are positioned at each of the corners, leaving a cross-shaped living room between with windows on all four walls.

The different areas of this room are separated by level changes, which the architects describe as a reference to the topography of the of the Rhône-Alpes region.

"The house is conceived as an imprint of its surroundings," concluded Koempgen. "Imprint in terms of landscape and geography, in terms of sunlight, as well as in terms of history."

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Photography is by Julien Lanoo

Here’s a few words from the architects

Villa Solaire
JKA and FUGA

The project consists in a conversion of an ancient farmhouse into a luxury rental villa, revisiting traditional techniques. This former farmhouse is located in the historic district of Pied de La Plagne, in Morzine. Built in 1826, it was singled out by the municipality as a landmark for traditional architecture.

Drawing on the context: inside/outside fitting

A uniform cladding wraps the whole farm. One of the challenges of the project was to preserve its appearance, while filtering light into the heart of the building.

The traditional technique of decorative cut-outs within the wood strips was used to perform specific perforations within the planks. The design of this simple and contemporary pattern is consistent with the equipment and techniques used by the local carpenter for cutting spruce slats. These cut-outs recall the disjointed battens of the traditional barn, used for drying hay.

Today, these slits bring light inside the building. The glazed elements of the project, which are flush with the inside of the façade, are partially hidden by the cover strips. As they are not visible from outside they do not interfere with the uniformity of the cladding.

Throughout the year, the surrounding roofs and buildings cast their shadows on the façades. The pattern within the cladding is designed to respond to the path described by these shadows: the areas receiving a greater amount of sun are all the more open and provide a certain legibility of the continuity between the common spaces of the house.

This concept of interlocking inside/outside, evokes a lifestyle in harmony with its surroundings and leads to the project being named the "solar house": a house exposed on its four façades to the path of the sun, perceived as a sundial.

Above: site plan - click above to see a larger image

Finding one’s bearings: a living geography.

The idea is to move through this house between four "blocks" steady as rocks, located at each corner of the building. Each independent unit forms a suite with sleeping area and amenities. Between these four blocks, the remaining space is occupied by a succession of stacked floors at different levels in the framework. This continuum of generous space welcomes the activities shared by the inhabitants: cooking, dining, watching a film, conversing in the living room, warming up around the fire…

Above: ground floor plan - click above to see a larger image

These four blocks mark the house as the summits punctuate the valley. In Haute Savoie, one instinctively relates the farms to the mountains. Again, this symbolic association is translated in each block as it is identified in its facing mountainous terrain, just as the framework can be interpreted as a forest, whose various topographical lines are recalled within the different floor levels.

Above: first floor plan - click above to see a larger image

Revealing the structure: nested scales or "the complex of the snail".

The charm of the original farm resides in the existing structure. Conserving its overall appearance was of one of the project's key challenges, which motivated its restoration: It was fully recovered and the original plastering preserved after brushing and trimming.

Above: section - click above to see a larger image

Compressed spaces, expanded spaces. Nesting areas.

In order to clear the room of the nave while meeting the rental house needs, utility functions were closely integrated. A strong contrast results from the scales of the cosy bedrooms, bathrooms and sleeping alcoves, next to the open central meeting space. The complexity of these nested spaces is combined with a similar research in terms of details and materials.

Above: section - click above to see a larger image

Client: Private
Cost: 1.100.000 € excl. tax
Area: 620 m² gross floor area
Beginning of studies: October 2009
Construction completion: January 2012
Program: Rental house – capacity 16 persons
Design Team: JKA – Jérémie Koempgen Architecture, FUGA – J.Aich & M.Recordon designers, J.Koempgen and J.Aich are members of the collective Ferpect
Contractors: SARL Laperrousaz (carpenter) / SARL Yves Gourvest Construction (masonry) / SARL Fourcade Herve (interior design) / Etablissements Guy Perracino (joinery) / Labevière (Electrician) / Marcellin (heating) / SARL CQFD Drouet (shutters) / Florinda Donga (curtains)

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and FUGA appeared first on Dezeen.

Above: photograph is by Cristobal Palma

The architects wrapped the cedar strips over each wall and and around the gabled roof of the two-storey Maison 2G. "To have a fully wooden exterior was a logical reaction to the environment," said Avenier & Cornejo's Miguel Cornejo. "The house is at the end of a road by the forest, so it fulfilled a transition between urban and natural environments."

Large windows and openings let light penetrate the wooden walls, plus rooms inside are organised to receive daylight at the times of day when they will be most used. "The kitchen was orientated east to have breakfast with morning light and the living room has the soft evening light of the west," said Cornejo.

The ground-floor living room is a double-height space that is described by the designers as being "carved". It opens out to a terrace and garden.

Above: photograph is by Cristobal Palma

"We worked on the flow of movement in the house to reduce corridors and create a dynamic flux," added Cornejo. "In this way we sculpted an intersection of movement and perspective."

Above: photograph is by Cristobal Palma

A staircase winds up through the centre of the house and leads to three bedrooms, all located on the first floor.

Other houses we've featured in France include one with cut-out shutters on its glazed facade and one with deep larch window frames.

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Above: photograph is by Cristobal Palma

Photography is by Stephane Chalmeau, apart from where otherwise stated.

Here's some more information from the architects:

House 2G
Orsay (France)

Before becoming a family home the land near the University of South Paris, Orsay, was better known by students for a take away bus that served English fast food.

Located at the end of the Rue Georges Clemenceau, at the intersection with the entrance to the university grounds, this site has a triple orientation, including a view of the park.

Above: photograph is by Cristobal Palma

Architects Avenier Cornejo’s clients are friends of friends. The development of the project was a collaboration that had a lot of freedom. The family, having a third child, was open to any proposal for their new home that offered plenty of quality light; which was previously lacking.

Above: ground floor plan - click above to see larger image

The challenge of the project was also to insert a contemporary house ecologically in a suburban fabric, more or less traditional, enjoying its view on the park. The ground is very wet and required deep foundations for the supporting structure. It is specified to meet the 2005 target for RT operation. In addition to basic insulation, natural vegetation was added externally. The compact volume limits energy losses.

Above: first floor plan - click above to see larger image

Flirting with the building regulations of the materials and the context of the landscape led a project of 'total look' wood. The volume is simple and one-piece, the wood cladding envelope dramatic. Composed of strips of cedar crate, this one allows omnipresent light, to be so over-input and redirected the angular pants interiors. The volumes are designed and vibrate throughout the day.

Above: roof plan - click above to see larger image

To offset the plain exterior the interior is enhanced by a carved inside: a large volume unites the two levels of the house, patio lights rooms and bathroom and staircase structure the ground floor...

Above: section - click above to see larger image

This framework looks onto the landscaped garden to enjoy its charms. The untreated cladding has been planted with patina ash and sweet fruit integration.

Above: front elevation - click above to see larger image

Client: Private
Architects: Avenier & Cornejo Architectes
Building company: Martins Construction
Mission: Complete
Programme: Private house
Surface: 216 sq m
Cost: 400 000 Euros HT
Phase: Completed

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Cornejo Architectes appeared first on Dezeen.

Located in Paris' 6th arrondissement, the house has been fitted into the three original stone walls of the site's previous building.

The steel structure comprises cantilevered floors supported by a central core that's largely independent of the three outer walls.

The south facade is entirely glazed and fitted with electrically operated steel shutters.

With the exception of the bathroom, there are no partitions between the rooms.

Wooden stairs wrap around the core of the house and each level leading off from the stairs becomes its own room.

The central core, staircase, floors and ceilings are all clad in black locust wood. Concrete boxes have been fitted into the walls to provide built-in shelving.

We recently featured a house in Japan with a courtyard staircase that climbs over a roof – see it here.

See more stories about Moussafir Architectes »

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Photographs are by Hervé Abbadie.

Here's more information from the architects:

Wooden window frames within old masonry walls and steel window frames by Forster within new steel structure; lacquered steel electrically operated shutters, iroko roof terrace, steel roof planters.

Architects: Jacques Moussafir with Alexis Duquennoy, project manager, and Na An.
Consultants: Jean-Marc Weill and Malishev Wilson Engineers (structural engineers)

Contractors: Microsol (deep foundations), Lisandre (structural work, plumbing, fittings), Général Métal (metal frame),

MGN (exterior door and windowframes), B2E (electricity), Tischlerei Bereuter (interior woodwork and panelling).

Maison Escalier (Step House)

Built on the site of an old house set between two buildings in the heart of a very well-preserved block in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, this house is designed as a tree-like structure delimited on three sides by the original walls.

Only the entirely glazed south façade belies the almost total reconstruction of the building and provides a glimpse of the volumetric complexity of its interior spaces.

Even more than that of a tree, the most effective metaphor for the project might be that of a Cyclopean stairway: the house is a stair whose core houses the wet rooms, whose stairwell is defined by the gables of the neighbouring buildings, and whose steps and landings form the various living spaces.

The fact that there was no need to partition the rooms (except the bathrooms) means that there is a sense of total spatial continuity from basement to roof terrace.

The structure, entirely of steel, is made up of cantilevered floors borne by the central core and partly dissociated from the three outer walls onto which have been grafted concrete boxes that act as built-in furniture.

The choice of materials reinforces the architectural design: the partitions of the central core, the floors and the ceilings are all clad in locust tree, whose colour and pattern contrast with the texture and whiteness of the outer walls.

Step House (Maison Escalier) - Paris - 2008-2011
Completed December 2011

Client: Eric de Rugy
Address: 22, rue Jacob, 75006 PARIS

Brief: house reconstruction
Budget: 850 000€ excl. VAT

Surface area: 153 sq.m. + 15 sq.m. roof terrace.

Materials: pile foundations, concrete basement liner, steel superstructure, wooden floors with built-in low temperature heating; ceilings and panelling laid on plasterboard; panelling. Ceilings and floors on upper levels made of locust tree boards by Admonter; floors on lower levels of resinous concrete by Ardex; sheet steel and stainless steel mesh guardrails by Jakob.

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Moussafir Architectes appeared first on Dezeen.