Mechanical workshop turned into a loft
BACKGROUND
Hidden behind an old metal door with a patina of age, clients have been drawn to this former mechanical workshop with its beautiful metal frame and three large windows. The couple work from home, so it was imperative to create an artist's studio adjacent to the garage and an upstairs office that was a little out of the way. They also wanted a bedroom for their child and another for entertaining friends.
THE PLAN
The original plan was a 12x12m square divided into two equal parts by the metal truss. The first part remained double height for the living room, dining room and kitchen. The second part was laid out on two levels, with the workshop, the master suite, the utility room and the toilet on the lower level. Upstairs are two bedrooms, small study and bathroom.
MATERIALS
The building's envelope was completely insulated (floor, walls, ceilings) from the inside. To build the upper level, the interior walls were erected using white- painted concrete blocks to support the joist and slab floor. These elements were left exposed to preserve the industrial spirit of the place and save money (no suspended ceilings, little lining). The new interior wall of the living room features large windows whose proportions echo the three large windows overlooking the garden. The two glass walls and the new skylights provide all rooms with natural light throughout the day. The ground floor is made of quartz concrete and incorporates underfloor heating connected to a heat pump.
FURNITURE
In the kitchen, the furniture and fixtures are horizontal to lessen the impression of the room's great height. The clients made the coffee and dining tables themselves, using wood salvaged when they removed the existing ceiling grid before starting construction work.
