This vacation house in Normandy was built from a small cottage that was renovated for seasonal use — the shape of the original small home was extended out with wooden platforms/decks that can be transformed into summer sleeping quarters with a tent-like canvas roof...
The design, by architect Franklin Azzi, utilizes local resources (stone and timber) and takes advantage of solar and geothermal energy, rainwater harvesting and natural ventilation.
Many more pictures (before, during and after construction & renderings) at the Franklin Azzi site.
Via: MoCoLoco.
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It's a beautiful renovation. I say to hell with its eco-sanctity; it's just a lovely, clean, sympathetic design.
But how can those un-railed upper decks be legal? Don't they have building codes in Normandy? Regardless of the beauty, you'd never be allowed to build that in the US, the UK or Australia.
view Blandwagon's profile
Pretty but I'm worried about the decks too and also the hillside beside the kitchen they get an awful lot of rain in Normandy it could wash down.
view hrhprincessfiona's profile
This house is featured in the July/August issue of àvivre magazine. It's my new dream house inspiration. The last photo above is what the original structure, a hunters' shelter, looked like before they started the project.
It's a beautiful blend of old and new and nice salvage of a building that was unusable.
The architect talks about pitching army tents on both decks to make temporary guest rooms. Interesting idea.
view monroe's profile
This is fantastic! A great renovation for both it's innovation and restraint. Simply wonderful and I'm so glad there are no railings. People just need to be careful. No kids allowed though. If you had kids obviously you'd need railings.
view dustin's profile