christian pottgiesser architecturespossibles: maison L

'maison L' by christian pottgiesser architecturespossibles outside of paris, france
all images courtesy christian pottgiesser architecturespossibles
photographer: george dupin


paris-based studio christian pottgiesser architecturespossibles (christian pottgiesser,
pascale thomas pottgiesser) has sent us images of their recently completed project,
'maison L', a private residence for a six-person family. located half an hour's drive west
of paris, the roughly 5000 m2 plot of old trees called for a design that would leave
the spacious grounds predominantly untouched.



general view


the project works with a pre-existing 18th century orangery, a conservatory-like building
with a seven-meter high ceiling line on the northern part of the site. to disturb the ground
as little as possible, 'maison L' extends 50 m to the north-west to line the boundary,
resulting in a general 'L'-shaped plan.

considering the natural topography of the site, the house is buried up to two meters
below grade with a garden roof covering the ground storey. this main level remains
largely open and connected, with varying degrees of privacy depending on the depth
of the zone's placement. five three-storied tower-like volumes puncture through
the green roof to stand almost autonomously with the main level. positioned to frame
a specific perspective of the site, each tower houses a dressing room, storage space,
a mezzanine, bathroom and a bedroom.



(left) among the trees
(right) from terrace


though mainly underground, natural light is ensured to the main level through a stretching
of the interstitial space between the tower's structure and the garden roof. the steel-framed
gazing blurs the boundary between indoors and outdoors, directly connecting the inhabitants
with the outdoor elements.



interior view - main level



entry to a tower on the main floor



communal spaces



detail of tower surface



glazed openings in the ceiling









roof light



side entry



main entrance


to further highlight the presence of the towers, the exterior facade of the main level is lined
with a curved stone wall which blends the structure into the site. elements of this stone wall
is repeated further into the plot, becoming retaining walls for surrounding pathways.



outdoor space



exterior path and wall treatment



rendered 3D model of project and site



site plan




floor plan / level 0



section



project info:

design team: christian pottgiesser, pascale thomas pottgiesser
area: 870 m2 (house), 4850 m2 (garden)
engineer: joel betito
general contractor: les constructeurs de suresnes
carpenter: reinhardt S.A.
iron work: serrurerie prestige
wood, glazing: chaput S.A.
landscape trade: bruns pflanzen
landscape implementation: la generale des amenagements
floor, walls, sanitary installations: les constructeurs de suresnes
lighting: CPAP design