Phase
Design / Project Development
Location
Plaisance-du-Touch, France
The Four
Complete architectural redesign of four closely spaced single-family houses.
Project Year
2024
What This Project Shows
This project highlights an approach capable of identifying a functional and spatial issue beyond the initial request, then transforming an implantation constraint into a design strategy. It shows how the quality of a project can be strengthened through precise work on privacy, views, openings, circulation and the relationships between spaces.
Context & Challenge
The project concerns four T5 single-family houses located on a shared plot. When the project was entrusted to me, the program and general layout were already defined, with an initial request focused on material choices and architectural expression.
However, the project analysis revealed a deeper issue: the proximity between the houses created significant overlooking situations, reducing the privacy of the living spaces and the quality of everyday use.
Project Type
Grouped Single-Family Houses
My Role
Based on the existing programme and the overall site-planning principles, I completely reworked the architectural design and managed the entire project process. I redesigned the plans, façades, massing, openings, circulation spaces and relationships with the outdoor areas, while developing architectural strategies to improve privacy between the houses, natural light and overall quality of use. I also produced the complete building permit application package, the 3D models, the architectural visualisations and the presentation documents.
Design Strategy
The strategy consisted of preserving the general implantation logic while reworking the organization of the plans, the façades and the positioning of the openings. Direct views between the houses were limited, while living spaces, circulation areas and gardens were reorganized to preserve privacy, natural light and overall coherence.
The project therefore was not limited to a work of materials or image. It evolved into a more global architectural transformation, aiming to make four houses located very close to one another more livable, more balanced and more respectful of domestic uses.
Surface
500 m² SDP
Page 1
Context
Initial State
Project configuration at the time of my intervention, before the restructuring of the plans, façades and overlooking relationships.
Problem — Overlooking Issues
The close implantation of the four houses revealed a significant issue related to privacy, direct views and quality of use.
Page 2
Design Approach
Design Solution
The façades facing one another should be treated in a way that limits direct views and preserves privacy between the homes.
Solution
The design solution was developed in two related directions.
Interior Courtyard Strategy
The vertical circulation areas have been positioned in direct relation to the interior courtyard, allowing the facing façades to be organized around less exposed uses and helping preserve the privacy of the living spaces.
Inter-Building Strategy
A separation wall has been integrated between the two volumes in order to interrupt direct views and better control the overlooking relationships. This intervention allows the façade openings to function without creating privacy conflicts between the dwellings.
The device also helps structure more private outdoor spaces, giving each house a clearer relationship with its own garden.
Page 3
Transformation
From Constraint to Lived Space
The transformation of the project makes it possible to move from a closely grouped implantation to a more intimate and more livable organization, where views, openings and outdoor spaces are better controlled.
Page 4
Plan
Site Plan
Ground Floor
Page 5
Plan
Site Plan
First Floor
Page 6
Plan
Elevation
East
Elevation
West
Elevation
South
End of the presentation
Thank you for interest.