Goals and collaboration
The Maison A/Studio B project was initiated by the French architectural magazine ‘Architectures à Vivre’. This very proactive media in France, promoting architectural quality in the high end thanks to wellknown architectural exhibitions (often carried out together with the French Ministry of Culture) succeeds in putting good architecture and renovation projects on the agenda. From the magazine’s point of view, the aim of using the Maison A project was to promote contemporary architectural values especially linked to sustainable architecture and new standards of comfort. On this decision ‘Architecture à Vivre’ looked for partners to be associated with the initiative. The agreement relied on the integration of VE LUX daylight and ventilation solutions besides using solar captors in the project as well.
Interior, functions and windows
In both parts of the building complex – meaning the existing house and the atelier – VE LUX products have been used with much consideration to the original design of the house. In the main house with the existing apartment 6 solar captors have been gently placed between the newly renovated zinc dormers. The living area of the existing house has been doubled – from 120 m2 to about 240 m2 – integrating basement and loft space in the conversion project. The atelier, converted into a fascinating loft apartment with two freely hanging levels, has been turned into an extraordinary daylight space with the creation of a ‘verrière à la Parisienne’ (a typical, huge Parisian window) consisting of 10 automatically operated VE LUX Integra roof windows, which will bring daylight and fresh air down to the ground floor through the different living levels. The ground floor 22 is the so-called communication area, whereas the 1st level functions as work area and the 2nd level as sleeping area. Also this living area has been extended to the double, from 20 m2 till about 40 m2, because of the floating mezzanines. The bathroom receives natural light through a VELUX sun tunnel.
Other innovative building components
The initiative of defining a project using new building components of the highest standards in a town house is quite extraordinary. The roof window and solar solutions have been carefully integrated in the sensitive historical downtown area of the 14th arrondissement in Paris. High use of the most modern and innovative technical solutions and equipment in both the house and the apartment has been a sub-goal. The energy saving solutions, multimedia room and built-in vacuum cleaning system also make this conversion case interesting as an example of how ultimately modern you can create contemporary architecture.
Goals and collaboration
The Maison A/Studio B project was initiated by the French architectural magazine ‘Architectures à Vivre’. This very proactive media in France, promoting architectural quality in the high end thanks to wellknown architectural exhibitions (often carried out together with the French Ministry of Culture) succeeds in putting good architecture and renovation projects on the agenda. From the magazine’s point of view, the aim of using the Maison A project was to promote contemporary architectural values especially linked to sustainable architecture and new standards of comfort. On this decision ‘Architecture à Vivre’ looked for partners to be associated with the initiative. The agreement relied on the integration of VE LUX daylight and ventilation solutions besides using solar captors in the project as well.
Interior, functions and windows
In both parts of the building complex – meaning the existing house and the atelier – VE LUX products have been used with much consideration to the original design of the house. In the main house with the existing apartment 6 solar captors have been gently placed between the newly renovated zinc dormers. The living area of the existing house has been doubled – from 120 m2 to about 240 m2 – integrating basement and loft space in the conversion project. The atelier, converted into a fascinating loft apartment with two freely hanging levels, has been turned into an extraordinary daylight space with the creation of a ‘verrière à la Parisienne’ (a typical, huge Parisian window) consisting of 10 automatically operated VE LUX Integra roof windows, which will bring daylight and fresh air down to the ground floor through the different living levels. The ground floor 22 is the so-called communication area, whereas the 1st level functions as work area and the 2nd level as sleeping area. Also this living area has been extended to the double, from 20 m2 till about 40 m2, because of the floating mezzanines. The bathroom receives natural light through a VELUX sun tunnel.
Other innovative building components
The initiative of defining a project using new building components of the highest standards in a town house is quite extraordinary. The roof window and solar solutions have been carefully integrated in the sensitive historical downtown area of the 14th arrondissement in Paris. High use of the most modern and innovative technical solutions and equipment in both the house and the apartment has been a sub-goal. The energy saving solutions, multimedia room and built-in vacuum cleaning system also make this conversion case interesting as an example of how ultimately modern you can create contemporary architecture.
Situation and background
Maison A is a small town house consisting of two building bodies. It is placed in the 14th arrondissement in central Paris, France in a neighbourhood dominated by many one-family houses, which can be described as not exactly historic vulnerable, but quite charming though and typical Parisian. The standard of the house, when the owner bought it in 1976, was not very good, and the size not very big either. But the price was very reasonable, and the fact that it has a garden is quite unusual for Paris, so all in all it was a brilliant investment option with lots of future possibilities.
Concept/idea
In its original shape, Maison A consists of two slightly differently looking buildings: A main, 2-storey tall town house in shape of a villa connected with a lower atelier building with double-high space to the ceiling.
The concept of the renovation project began with the need of a roof renovation of the existing Maison A. The use of a fully integrated VE LUX solar energy system in the new roof solution was a basic premise of this very special ‘high tech’ renovation project. The adjoining Studio B, which is a separate dwelling, was not initially a part of the project. However, when it was put for sale in 2004, the architect Éric Wuilmot suggested the same modern standard of building components.
The concept of the loft apartment in Studio B is particularly interesting since it develops a living concept based on three levels with a minimized ground floor surface. Overall great focus on the environment and the use of intelligent building component have been essential.
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