studio razavi adds square openings to define photographer’s house façade in france

studio razavi adds square openings to define photographer’s house façade in france
(above) south-east view, a smooth skin punctured by openings
all images © olivier-martin gambier

paris-based studio razavi architecture has designed a house commissioned by a photographer as both his summer house and studio. the concept was developed after some façade studios were made, defining a simple and smooth building skin, varying in height and punctured by glass openings. two volumes were made, one for the main living areas and the other for the work spaces, converging in the north corner, freeing up as much space as possible on this lot located in bretagne, france.

main door on west façade

the main space in studio razavi‘s project  is compressed at the entry and releases up towards the landscape. the fan-shaped plan gradually provides more floor area, volume, and light. the second space is exclusively dedicated to the owner’s studio. all rooms and bathrooms were reduced to a bare minimum to provide maximum surface area to the other living and work spaces.

north-east corner showing the inverted funnel shape

the varying angles of the building edges offer a series of changing volumetric and perspective experiences. the south façade shows a single vertical plane, while all the others are hidden from view. similarly, an open angle on the main corridor defeats the perspective to create an illusion of parallel walls.

south-east corner opens to the surrounding landscape

windows frame views of the landscape and sky 

a single living space for the house 

corridor opens up both horizontally and vertically

children’s room takes advantage of the slanted roof to create a mezzanine

a big window gives life to this corner

south-east view at dusk

floor plan opens towards main space and views

project info:

architect: studio razavi architecture
year: 2013
program: single family home & studio
floor area: 130m²
location: bretagne (france)
photography: olivier-martin gambier

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: juliana neira | designboom