Extension to a House near Paris by Hemaa Architectes

A narrow house featuring quarrystone walls, a low-slope saddle roof and a neighbouring building only on one side: until a few years ago, this was the image presented to passers-by in a quiet residential area southwest of Paris. Hemaa Architectes have halved the existing volume by tearing down the somewhat angular foyer and preserving only the more presentable portion of the house.

The lot, which slopes noticeably towards the garden, has been filled with an L-shaped addition whose entire garden-level width opens onto the green. This area is home to the clients’ living room. The two recessed upper levels take up the building line of the neighbouring house to the left.

Rubble meets brickwork

A glazed connector now links old and new; it also acts as a distribution space and vestibule. The architects used the stones from the demolished building to close the front of the old building with the same material. The new building, on the other hand, is clad in beige brickwork. Facing the street, it takes a step back from its historical neighbour and, with its two levels, gives a more modest impression.

With the exception of the glazed connector, the old and new structures are clearly separate. A small atrium allows daylight into the lower level of the existing building, where a studio has been set up. One storey up from this, at street level, the architects have created a terrace on the roof of the living area.

The kitchen allows views from the street all the way through to the garden. © Sergio Grazia

The spacious kitchen is also at street level and is accessible directly from the foyer. Large windows allow views from the street all the way through to the garden. Single-flight stairways connect the levels inside.

Terraces and yards

The windows in the addition are framed with white concrete; the casings are of oak. Large sliding doors open the living space to the outdoors. The planted courtyard enables cross-ventilation in the garden level, half of which has been set into the terrain.

Large sliding doors open the living space to the outdoors. © Sergio Grazia

The topmost levels of both the old and new structures accommodate four bedrooms, a shower and a bathroom. These areas are directly linked via the glass connector. While the historical part of the house maintains its introverted character with small window openings, the addition has large indoor and outdoor windows, as well as the open stairway, to ensure vertical and horizontal perspectives.