Maison en Bois: redefining the limits of architectural space
- Photography: Vincent Leroux and Jean-Luc Guérin
Maison en Bois, designed by French architect Nicolas Dahan and completed in 2019, is an example of contemporary architecture integrated with its natural surroundings, redefining the limits of architectural space and, therefore, the way of inhabiting it.
A different rhythm
Located in Soulac-sur-Mer, this 250 m² home is surrounded by a 4,000 m² pine forest, providing a serene refuge protected from strong winds, while the sound of the nearby ocean sets the daily rhythm. The architecture of the Maison en Bois redefines the idea of threshold. There is no traditional entrance; instead, one enters directly into the public living space or into one of the five bedrooms, all set amidst the pine forest. This approach not only blurs the distinction between indoors and outdoors, but also invites nature to become an integral part of the home.
Visual continuity and breadth
The design of the house is inspired by the American single-story villa, with a roof composed of 136 larch boxes and a floor of 136 okoumé wood panels. This perfect symmetry requires an engineering precision that harkens back to the work of John Lautner and his vision of open architecture. The house achieves a unique fluidity through the use of shadow joints, eliminating the need for visible nails or screws.
The disappearance of boundaries
An outstanding feature of the Maison en Bois is its ability to capture light. The sliding windows, which exceed three meters in height, allow for an immense influx of natural light, creating a play of shadows that varies throughout the day and brings the wooden interiors to life. This level of detail and luxury not only enhances the aesthetics of the home, but also underscores the technical sophistication of the project, achieved with the collaboration of only five suppliers in the world capable of handling these large volumes of glass. Thanks to these efforts, the home manages to redefine the limits of architectural space by setting freer rules for living.
Technical Aspects
Construction faced significant challenges, especially in stabilizing the roof, which in storm conditions could have behaved like a delta wing. To counter this, metal was used and concrete walls were anchored, demonstrating the stresses inherent in working with natural materials such as wood and glass. These materials, while flexible and beautiful, require special care to achieve the durability of concrete.
Maison en Bois is a redefinition of space and its link to its surroundings. A new concept of living space and understanding it at the time of inhabiting it, a more natural one, with fewer limits and more presence of contemplation and reflection.