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