On the heights of a plot of land bordered by the Train, the river below, the grouped housing is organised into three successive small-scale longhouses: a communal hall at the site entrance and two through-housing buildings in its extension. The position of the longhouses, which runs parallel to the topography and backs onto the planted slope, is directly inspired by that of the existing building, whose footprint has been preserved in order to limit the impact on the ground. This layout guarantees the privacy of each unit and a direct relationship with the landscape.
The architecture of the grouped housing is defined by wide overhanging roofs and stone base-walls that protect the facades - particularly the exterior earth plaster - and ensure that the buildings will stand the test of time. Designed as a wooden structure insulated with straw bales, the project also incorporates materials and elements from the demolition of the existing building, which was deemed unusable. Bricks are used to clad the gable walls, windows are reinstated on the rear façade, and doors, floor coverings and sanitary fittings are reused in the interior fittings. The partitions and party walls are made of mud bricks.
Relatively few of the other elements not already present on the site - such as the roof tiles or the base stones - come from re-use channels, which greatly limits the inflow of materials. With a view to saving resources, logistics will be facilitated by the early construction of the common hall, so that this first building can serve as a storage and processing area for re-used elements.
