House VD

Within the maximum permitted building volume, two patios were carved out. One defines the entrance to the house, while the four bedrooms are arranged around the second. These voids draw natural light deep into the plan and establish a constant dialogue between interior and exterior.

The green roof follows the minimum required pitch, resulting in a height of 2.5 metres at street level, rising to nearly 5 metres towards the garden. The living spaces — kitchen, dining area, sitting room and workspace — are positioned along the garden façade. Developed over double height, they open generously to the south through large windows overlooking the greenery.

The living areas are finished in rough slate. Movengui timber platforms, set at varying levels, function as desks, benches and work surfaces, reinforcing the interior’s layered character. The bathrooms receive zenithal light through fully glazed ceilings. Above the technical zone sits a play loft — a more secluded space where children can occupy the house independently from the main living areas.

Brickwork is applied consistently to walls, sills, lintels, reveals and terraces alike. This continuous detailing lends the house a restrained and robust expression.

Twenty years after completion, the house underwent a comprehensive energy renovation. Roof and façades were further insulated and all building services were renewed. A geothermal borehole and heat pump were installed, the rainwater system upgraded and photovoltaic panels added to the roof. The original timber windows, never previously treated, were carefully sanded back and refinished.

This second intervention aligns the house with contemporary energy standards while preserving the integrity of the original architectural concept.