Projects

The original two floor row house had to grow in height and in depth to adapt itself to its new owners. With this enlargement, the central part of the house became far removed from the natural light coming from the facades.

From this observation, the work in the house was concentrated into its central part: a great light well has been excavated, three stories high. In the middle of this excavation is the staircase, making its way through the house and crossing the natural light that comes from above. This point concentrates all the circulations within house: smoke from the chimney and natural ventilation goes up, light and water go down, people go up and down.

A change of scale is experienced once inside this space: long diagonal views appear, up to 10 meters long, a surprise in the house. A large volume of air has been introduced inside a plot which seemed not to be able to contain it when seen from outside. Every room in the house participates in the light and crossed views of this space.

There is this almost theatrical way of moving thought the staircase, appearing and disappearing…When the staircase touches the ground, it becomes a kind of secret place. You disappear from sight and appear from under the arch, surprisingly…