Volet
Deep in the heart of the Cantal mountains, nestled in the hollow of a valley where a stream runs, stands a house more than a hundred years old, which has seen generations of farmers live within its modest, emblematic walls. In this house live the memories of a humble and happy childhood, where the scent of hay was ever-present. In this stone building, an elevated barn where bales of straw are neatly stacked became the playground of children who forged shared memories that would stay with them forever.
It is this childhood story that sparked the project, born from an irresistible desire to transform this now-shadowed space into a place filled with laughter and the crackling of flames — a warm and welcoming barn.
Among the remains of the past, a thorough cleaning revealed the richness of this unassuming architectural heritage. Basalt stone walls, an oak framework, a slate roof — all precious elements typical of the region that the project sought to highlight and preserve from the very beginning. With limited means, the aim was to write the next chapter of the story by building upon the invaluable foundation already in place.
In an effort to preserve and enhance this generous volume, the oak frame was left exposed, the thick stone walls restored and celebrated, and a mezzanine rests atop a sculpted piece of furniture that doubles as a staircase.
A concrete frame now opens up the gable, revealing the lively, unchoreographed dance of cows grazing in the fields. Behind large wooden doors, a sliding glass panel offers a serene view of the Cantal countryside. Mirroring this opening, the original wooden doors were repurposed to create an exterior sliding shutter.
Ultimately, the project consists of a few precise, thoughtful interventions — like acupuncture — always in harmony with the history and character of the place, creating a space that is both unique and convivial.
