House in “La Place”

House in “La Place”
© Rasmus Norlander

House in “La Place” 

Deschenaux Follonier

CLIENTS
Audrey Et Anthony Morard

ENGINEERING
Vbi Fribourg Sàrl, Eyüp Selçukoglu

LEAD ARCHITECT
Valentin Deschenaux

DESIGN TEAM
Sarah Follonier

PHOTOGRAPHS
Rasmus Norlander

AREA
190 M²

YEAR
2019

LOCATION
Villa, Switzerland

CATEGORY
Houses

Text description provided by architect.

The house overlooks the hamlet “La Place”, in Ayent, central Valais.

House in “La Place”
© Rasmus Norlander
House in “La Place”
© Rasmus Norlander

The project takes root in the site’s memory, by reinterpreting the atmosphere and the materialization of its vernacular architecture.

Like the barns of the hamlet, the house stands in a meadow that is left blank. Thus, the project frees itself from all boundaries. The grass grows according to the seasons and the livestock can come and graze.

The main terrace is on top of the house, away from prying eyes and offering a stunning view.

House in “La Place”
© Rasmus Norlander
House in “La Place”
© Rasmus Norlander
House in “La Place”
© Rasmus Norlander

The materiality of the project recalls the barns’ one, with a mineral cold-looking structure and a wooden roof opened on both gable ends.

The roof of the house shifted lengthwise and free from any middle supporting structure, which seems to be floating over the house, which interrogates its primary function which is to shelter a house.

The heritage of the local barns continues through the expression of the facades. They allow showing a base, the main body, and a roof, thanks to the treatments of the concrete and the wooden framework.

House in “La Place”
© Rasmus Norlander
House in “La Place”
© Rasmus Norlander
House in “La Place”
© Rasmus Norlander

The half levels enrich this composition by hugging the topography and by connecting the different spaces. The resulting openings adapt precisely to the needs of the interior spaces.


House in “La Place”
© Rasmus Norlander
House in “La Place”
© Rasmus Norlander
House in “La Place”
© Rasmus Norlander
House in “La Place”
© Rasmus Norlander
House in “La Place”
© Rasmus Norlander


House in “La Place”
Site plan
House in “La Place”
Ground floor plan
House in “La Place”
First floor plan
House in “La Place”
Roof floor plan


House in “La Place”
West elevation
House in “La Place”
South elevation
House in “La Place”
East elevation
House in “La Place”
North elevation


House in “La Place”
Longitudinal section
House in “La Place”
Transversal section