AL PEPE architects uses local timber and an archetypal form for HD house in france

in the small french village of kleinfrankenheim, AL PEPE architects has completed ‘HD house’. articulated by an archetypal form and unadorned interiors, the simple dwelling aims to show the beauty of a stripped back aesthetic while reinventing a contemporary, contextual, and sustainable approach for residential architecture in the alsace region of france. 

images by pascal philbert

to limit its footprint on the landscape, HD house is embedded into the natural slope of the site and occupies a relatively small plot. planned over three levels, the basement and second floor contain the bedroom functions, while the first floor comprises the social heart of the house with an open plan kitchen, living and dining area. this main living space also opens out to a large terrace, creating a connection between inside and outside, which is reinforced by the extension of the concrete floor and timber ceiling. 

the second floor attic offers pleasant vault-like spaces that respond to the curved window on the street façade, which in turn emulates the characteristic window shape on traditional village gables. the archetypal form of the double pitch roof, imposed by building code requirements, is alternately covered by wood and painted steel grating. the exaggerated size of the timber overhang helps to break up the traditional gable form and helps give the ‘alsatian pagoda’ increased protection from the elements.

AL PEPE architects has utilized locally-sourced materials such as the larch frame for the floor, walls and roof, exposed oiled larch wooden window frames, and bio-sourced insulation filling (wood fibers). the cladding and the roof are made in the same thin-ribbed steel profile with deep green paint. the railing of the terrace is made of reinforcing steel bars bent like brutalist candy canes. 

timber battens are used on the street side of the terrace to provide privacy but also as a structural element for the main staircase that connects the three levels of the house. overall, by using simple, durable materials, HD house aims to highlight the beauty of modest architecture in the residential suburbs of france.

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project info:

project name: HD House – Bibeleskaes study house #1

location: kleinfrankenheim, alsace, france

architect: AL PEPE architects (pascal philbert & aude lecinski)

client: private

area: 1937.50 ft2 (180 m2)

building cost: €270,000 tax free

year of completion: 2020

structural engineering: bringolf constructions (concrete), girold constructions bois (timber)

thermal engineering: cap energies alsace

photography: pascal philbert

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.