R2A architectes

Description

The project is a residential structure anchored in the heart of a garden. Two independent dwellings for two separate lives. No shared hallways, no imposed proximity. The staircase is unheated, the envelope reduced to a minimum. The ground floor apartment is slightly sunken. The view is at vegetation level, as close as possible to the seasons. This immersion creates a natural intimacy. Upstairs, the situation is reversed. The living space recedes, the view extends further. Two sister typologies, two complementary experiences: one anchored, the other overhanging. The space is organised around a central system that brings together all the technical elements. This core concentrates what is needed in order to free up the surrounding space. All around, the plan radiates outwards. The rooms are arranged around the perimeter, with perspectives that open up the space along the lines of sight. The structure is clear and legible. Two slabs rest on metal supports around the perimeter and on a concrete core that ensures stability and accommodates the technical installations. The lightweight façade elements are arranged around it. Concrete is used without artifice, in its constructive truth. Inside, it engages in a dialogue with oak. Concrete for mass and permanence. Oak for warmth and comfort. Outside, a durable skin envelops the structure. The metal elements capture the light without excessive shine, while the cladding echoes the stratification of the slabs.