Extension and transformation of a house in Villers-devant-Orval

The house is located along the Moiry route, on the outskirts of the village of Villers-devant-Orval. It is situated between two contrasting landscapes: agricultural land to the north-east and the undergrowth along the ‘La Marche’ river marking the French border on the south-west.

A family home for many centuries, it is now only used at weekends and during the summer holidays by the family and their friends. However, in terms of capacity and comfort, it had reached its limit.

The house’s location in a beautiful landscape made us come up with a compact approach by adding a room above the existing annexe. At the same time as affirming its presence on the country road, this space was sized in such a way as to set itself apart from the existing building.

The room, positioned on the sandstone walls of the existing outhouse will be constructed with a wooden frame covered with wood cladding. This variation from the local materials helps the new extension differentiate itself from the old building whilst still integrating perfectly into the forest landscape.