passive house in bessancourt by karawitz architecture all images courtesy karawitz architecture

french firm karawitz architecture have developed a passive house in bessancourt, near paris, france.

the house is closed to the north to limit heat loss and opened to the south benefitting from free solar energy. aesthetically, it is an abstract replica of a traditional house.

the second skin of the houses design is untreated bamboo which envelopes the frame in solid wood panels. the cladding, which becomes grey over time, is an interpretation of the traditional barns in the part of the ile-de-france region where the house is situated. it passes in front of the windows to the north and finishes by unfolding on to the roof. identical shutters are fitted on large bay windows to the south to provide shade and light in the house, during the day or at night. photovoltaic panels on the roof round off the program, producing 2695 kwh/yr in energy. the foundation slab is the only concrete element, the entire structure is created from the assembly oflarge solid wood panels, which have been prefabricated in a workshop.

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 2 when the shutters are all closed

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 3

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 4

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 5

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 6 the bamboo connected to a steel frame

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 7 the balcony

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 8 the living area

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 9 kitchen

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 10 living area

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 11 the dividing wall…

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 12 can be opened up

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 13 staircase

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 14 circular holes provide views into connecting rooms

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 15 staircase

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 16

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 17

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 18 the corridor

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 19 upstairs living space

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 20 bathroom

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 21 shower

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 22 main bedroom

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 23 the entrance

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 24 in the evening

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 25 entrance and car port

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 26 floor plan

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 27 section view

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 28 elevation view

karawitz architecture: passive house, bessancourt - 29 site plan

project info: type: residential  – single family residence location: bessancourt, france client: private building status: built in 2009 site type: suburban