Le Petit Refuge d'Iska
Set within a rural and mountainous environment, in an isolated location at the northern tip of the Belledonne massif at an altitude of 1,200 metres, the Petit Refuge project consists of the transformation and rehabilitation of an existing barn, connected to an adjoining chalet, to create a 14-bed guesthouse.
The site benefits from a south-facing orientation, offering open views towards the Lauzière massif. The stone barn, a central and majestic element of the project, has been deliberately preserved in its original spatial quality. It is kept as open as possible, allowing its intrinsic features—stone walls, century-old timber structure, and generous volume—to serve the new programme.
The architectural intervention focuses on concentrating the more private functions within the northern part of the barn, oriented towards the uphill slope, in order to free up the south-facing spaces as much as possible. This arrangement allows for the creation of four bedrooms and three stacked bathrooms. The northern façade has been punctured with large vertical openings, expressing the logic of this vertical layering while bringing in light and framing views of the landscape.
The thickness of the stone walls has been used to accommodate technical constraints, particularly the management of natural water infiltration, through the insertion of an internal lining and a set-back independent timber frame. This system also benefits the two upper suites, which enjoy small balconies opening onto the surrounding landscape.
The connection with the existing chalet has been achieved through an adaptation of the roof structure, reusing timber elements that were carefully assessed beforehand. This approach reveals the building’s origins while preserving its agricultural character. The former garage door has been transformed into a large glazed opening, framing the valley beyond as a living landscape painting.
All interventions adopt a deliberately raw aesthetic, revealing both past and present traces of human craftsmanship. The stone walls have been repointed internally with lime mortar and left exposed externally. Masonry works are intentionally expressed, with construction stages—lintels, jambs, and sills—remaining visible. Inside, steel elements such as glazed partitions and balustrades are left untreated, allowing natural oxidation to occur over time. The quartz-finished concrete floor gradually develops a patina through use.
Finally, the project’s remote location has led to the implementation of fully autonomous systems for water supply and wastewater treatment. Water is sourced from a partially and carefully managed spring on the site, while wastewater is treated through a planted phytoremediation garden, suited to a mid-mountain context.
Looking ahead, Petit Refuge is conceived as an integrated and evolving architecture, in dialogue with its environment. The raw materials invite a direct sensory experience, where touch reveals the richness of textures. The project embraces the passage of time as a material in itself, with patina and transformation gradually enriching and extending the life of the existing structure.
