Studio Bako & Dimitri Felouzis Architecte transform an existing barn in Usclas d’Herault (34), France into a house, according to traditional morphologies and with a delicate narrative that engages with the stone, the context and the seasonal variations.
In an old Occitan village, the project is nestled within a small plot surrounded by tall stone walls. The construction leans on this setting and makes the most of its advantages.
From the street, the project appears restrained, almost ordinary, following the established morphologies of the village and employing similar materials such as traditional terracotta tiles and lime plaster.
In the courtyard, hidden behind the tall walls but discreetly visible to passersby, a large glass facade opens up, revealing the exposed wooden framework.
Through a play of contrasts, galvanized steel elements highlight the composition.
By leaning on the existing walls, the construction capitalizes on its strengths: its load-bearing capacity, its inertia, and therefore its useful thermal lag during scorching heat.
To make the most of the local climate conditions and to answer to the flood risks in the village, the construction is elevated one meter from the existing wall and opens up on its opposite facade. The space becomes a passageway for natural ventilation, capturing sunlight and aligning with prevailing winds.
The wall insulation is achieved through sprayed lime-hemp and then coated with earth and flax straw. The interior is entirely crafted from local chestnut wood from the Cevennes region. These materials provide excellent humidity regulation due to their breathable quality and efficient thermal lag.
The simplicity of the materials weaves a delicate narrative to engage with the stone, the context, and the seasonal variations.
Facts & Credits
Project title: Transformation of a barn into a house
Typology: Residential
Location: Usclas d’Herault (34), France
Date: 2023
Architecture: Studio Bako & Dimitri Felouzis Architecte
Surface: 25 m2
Budget: 95 0000 € HT
Materials: Wood, lime, hemp, earth
Photography: Studio Bako
Text: provided by the architects
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