FABRE/deMARIEN architectes: house 69

‘house 69’ by FABRE/deMARIEN architectes in bordeaux, france all images courtesy FABRE/deMARIEN architectes photographer: stéphane chalmeau

‘house 69’ by french studio FABRE/deMARIEN architects is a two-storey private dwelling in a residential suburb of bordeaux, france. conceived for a family of four, the compact design makes most of its restricted site of 186 m2, utilizing a largely open floor plan that encourages a natural flow to the domestic circulation.

exterior view from the back garden

measuring 8 m by 9.4 m, the box-like volume is unassuming from the exterior, distinguished by large square-faced window that are placed asymmetrically on the facade. the back of the plot features a small outdoor garden which the kitchen and living space can open up to by a system of sliding glass doors. the house is also stepped back at the front of the property to generate a small outdoor area which is fronted by a fence-like wall.

interior view of kitchen

free-standing walls on the ground floor are kept to a minimum, with only the centrally-placed washroom and staircase being paired with a structural wall. the resulting effect is two clearly defined space – the kitchen and living room – which remain well-connected through a porous layout. the large windows on both sides of the design are placed in a mirrored fashion to project a continuous space that goes beyond the boundaries of the interior. on the upper floor, four bedrooms and a bathroom are efficiently accessed through a common corridor.

view of the garden from kitchen

living room opened up to the garden

communal space

(left) bedroom (right) kids room

front facade

night view

during construction

site map

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level +1

section

front elevation

back elevation