‘d house’ by lode architecture, brittany, france

image © daniel moulinet

all images courtesy of lode architects

 

 

on the banks of the brackish water of a french estuary lies a house that breathes in the warmth of the surrounding woods. startling and elegant dualities characterize estuarine environments, places at the mouth of a river where fresh water meets the saline swirls of ocean water. these unique sites are among the most productive areas on earth. parisian architects jérôme vinçon and arnaud lacoste of lode architecture have sought to create an architecture that reflects these complex conditions. the fecundity of the landscape is expressed in the architectonics of ‘d house’ which include a contrasting skin comprised of untreated live-edge wood and glazing that wraps around the first level. a sizable retaining wall allows for the creation of a hollow space that becomes the conceptual crux of the house. this hearth can be opened to the panorama of the undergrowth; its spaces filled with the rushing sounds of the river and the smell of damp earth. the windowed angles fade into river views and the stone-worked ground trails off into the water’s banks. the second level further creates a blended landscape with wells of light and slivers of landscape peeking through a small succession of living spaces. these wooden trellises make an abstracted composition of forest when the leaves reflect off the abundant glazing. the house flits between dialectical sets, drawing strength through it’s embrace of the confrontational natural elements that characterize the site.

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

the glazed first floor becomes the center for living

image © daniel moulinet

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

the wood-clad second floor peeks above a massive retaining wall

image © daniel moulinet

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

the holiday home can be a quiet retreat or a vibrant, festive space replete with outdoor views

image © daniel moulinet

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

stone floors continue to the exterior and fade towards the river

image © daniel moulinet

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

diffused light pervades the space

image © daniel moulinet

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

architectural light wells mingle with greenery and open sky

image © daniel moulinet

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

a view of the hearth

image © daniel moulinet

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

image © daniel moulinet

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

interior views display the kitchen island

image © daniel moulinet

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

image © daniel moulinet

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

(left): a view of the stair punctuates the central space (right): inside and outside become seamlessly woven

image © daniel moulinet

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

material sophistication characterizes the hushed upstairs rooms

image © daniel moulinet

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

the adjoined rooms are complemented by closed-in outdoor spaces

image © daniel moulinet

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

untreated wood encloses the second-level balcony

image © daniel moulinet

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

the house is an abstracted composition of forest and river

image © daniel moulinet

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

a live-edge wood facade imitates the landscape

image © daniel moulinet

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

image © daniel moulinet

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

rusticity meets minimalist sophistication

image © daniel moulinet

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

at night a warm, yellow glow fills the house and contrasts with the twilight blue of the river

image © daniel moulinet

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

site plan

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

floor plan level o

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

floor plan level 1

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

site section

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

short section

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

long section

 

 

lode architecture: d house, brittany, france

structural diagram