Architects: KIDA Architecture & Design
Area: 2000 m²
Year: 2024
Photographs: Alexis Pichot
Manufacturers: Saint-Gobain, Burin Penet, Byosis, Dutour, Fermacell, Isover, MARAZZI, Saint-Astier
Category: Residential Architecture, Houses
Lead Team: Francesco Loconte
Design Team: KIDA Architecture & Design
Commune: Barbizon
Country: France
Sous les Ailes, a bioclimatic house designed by KIDA Architecture & Design in Barbizon, on the edge of the Fontainebleau forest, has been conceived as an environmentally self-sufficient home in close dialogue with its natural surroundings. A new volume built with a mixed structure of wood and hemp-lime blocks contains the living areas. A glazed facade on the south side is shaded by a cantilevered roof to control solar gain. The sleeping quarters, built entirely of hemp-lime, extend toward the site’s natural rock formations. The master bedroom is embedded within the undergrowth, providing a secluded retreat. The original stone building is retrofitted with bio-sourced insulation, including sprayed hempcrete and wood wool. Rainwater harvesting tanks, a filtration system, a solar heating setup with a backup wood stove-boiler, and natural ventilation through Canadian wells and dual-flow systems enable thermal and water autonomy throughout the year.
Sous les Ailes is a bioclimatic residence situated at the edge of the Fontainebleau forest, in the village of Barbizon, known for its history of painters and located just an hour from Paris. A stone outbuilding stands in the northeast corner of the nearly 2000 m² plot, while two concrete extensions are currently attached to the original structure. To the south, the distinctive rock formations of the Fontainebleau forest extend beneath the canopy of tall oak trees.
The owners envision generously glazed spaces that connect harmoniously with the natural surroundings, opening directly to the landscape. They seek interiors filled with natural light while maintaining a discreet presence that blends seamlessly into the calm, preserved environment. Their goals extend beyond aesthetics; they aim to create an environmentally responsible home that is self-sufficient in both energy and water, establishing a sustainable living space in complete symbiosis with its context.
The two existing extensions are demolished, exposing and emphasizing the original stone structure. The gutter height of the existing building sets the maximum height for the new additions. A new volume, constructed with a mixed system of wood and hemp-lime blocks, accommodates the living areas and extends parallel to the northern edge of the plot. The entrance, positioned alongside the stone wall of the original house, opens directly onto the garden, with the new structure maintaining a discreet profile through its transparency. This tall volume is organized into three distinct sections by functional blocks that separate the entrance, the living room, and the kitchen and dining area.
On the southern side, the facade features extensive glazing and is shaded by a cantilevered roof specifically designed to reduce solar exposure during the summer months. On the northern side, smaller openings are introduced to establish cross-views. The volume housing the sleeping areas is conceived with essential simplicity and is constructed entirely from hemp-lime. It integrates quietly beneath the overhanging “wings” of the main volume and extends toward the natural rock formations, where it is partially sheltered. The master bedroom is set within the undergrowth, providing an intimate and calming space that serves as a peaceful retreat in direct harmony with the surrounding natural environment.
In the northern section of the plot, considered less prominent, the garage and workshop are positioned at a distance from the main living areas yet are fully integrated into the landscape, forming a balanced addition to the overall composition. Within the existing house, which has been entirely insulated using bio-sourced materials such as sprayed hempcrete for the walls and wood wool for the roof, the program includes a bathroom, a laundry room, and a guest room. Two rainwater harvesting tanks, along with a treatment system, support water self-sufficiency. The heating system combines solar thermal energy with a backup wood stove equipped with a boiler to provide consistent and gentle warmth during winter months. Canadian wells and decentralized dual-flow ventilation systems are used to ensure efficient natural ventilation throughout the home.
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Project Location
Address: Barbizon, 77630 Seine-et-Marne, France
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
Featured originally on Architecture Réseau and curated for Architecture Lab readers.
