brick façades and circular windows define boman's archery house in france

situated in the middle of a lush green belt zone of fontenay-aux-roses in france, boman architecture studio has designed a house for archers. the modest intervention, which measures just 527 ft2 (49 m2) in area, has been created to make the most of the site and establish a connection with the natural environment that surrounds it.

all images © antoine séguin

in order to develop an architectural language that does not impose itself but rather complements the site of ‘urban nature’, the architects chose to construct the building using only natural materials. the structure is built from perforated brick-bearing terracotta, which is typically used in the north of france and a gesture of boman’s ecological commitment by sourcing local materials.

the structure is assembled brick by brick, 3 to 4 rows at a time, onto a pad footing, thereby creating the appearance of a self-supporting façade. the construction thus refrains from using any additional facing materials and optimizes the number of building trades.

an original system has been put in place to draw attention to the rainwater flow: a rain chain. taking special care, it is composed of a cascading series of aluminium cups which guide the falling water with grace and elegance. the brick walls are perforated by three round windows that invite the landscape to seamlessly enter the space. an oversized circular window on the main façade takes its cue from the archery targets found opposite, offering a generous view onto the shooting range outdoors.

carpentry frames and door lintels, made of precast stained pink concrete, enliven the four façades by creating geometric breaks that contrast with the porous appearance of the bricks. through the desire to create a moving elevation, a large circular stained wood shutter, sliding on a rail was put in place. its monumental proportions dictate much of the aesthetic of the exterior, becoming a dominant architectural feature.