Residence G – North of France
Architect: Coldefy
Location: North of France
Type: House
Year: 2021
Photographs: Julien Lanoo
The following description is courtesy of the architects. The brief for Residence G was to create a countryside lifestyle in harmony with its surroundings. The starting point was the Comte de M. 19th century farm building, constructed in a U-shape around a courtyard, nestled in a fantastic natural setting surrounded by the edge of a forest, a haven of biodiversity. It is located alongside a golf course running through the forest.
The refurbishment and extension of this building sought to showcase the old building and preserve the
natural surroundings.
A new entrance zone to the plot has been de designed to provide access to the farm. The courtyard is
closed off by this zone, creating a patio overlooked by the rooms in the house. The property is extended
with a generous south-facing facade to take advantage of the natural light. Another extension was added
to create a family space with a swimming pool.
The farm’s use of form was reinterpreted for the extensions, which blend into the surroundings due to the
materials used. The south-side extension naturally fits in with the existing farm. The other extension matches the first extension’s style and is connected to the building via a glass corridor. The farm’s classic facade was retained, whilst the others were redesigned to establish interactions between indoor and outdoor spaces and large dormers were created. Each staircase leading to the upper floors offers views over the forest, golf course or garden.
The main farm building has undergone very few changes. The black substructure and the white painted
brick were retained. On the roof, damaged tiles were replaced with similar pantiles to retain the building’s
authentic feel. The windows were fitted with double-glazing in black aluminium frames, and large openings
were created in the existing facade. These large dormers are made of steel in the same colour as the joinery.
The new extensions have a timber frame covered in a charred wood cladding, and the car port is made of
slatted wood. All the aluminium joinery matches the colours of the main farm building.
Architectural limitations
Before Coldefy’s involvement, the farm building had narrow spaces with low ceilings, which gave the
impression of a tight space closed off from the outside. An extension earmarked for the technical services
required for the home (water heater, fuse board, laundry room, cellar, garage) was south-facing, preventing a family from enjoying bright living areas and taking advantage of the natural light and warmth. This extension was made of cinder block and metal sheeting, which did not match the main farm building. It was no longer waterproof, plants were growing inside, several areas were affected by mould and diagnoses revealed the presence of asbestos.
The initial review of the land and the surrounding areas
Coldefy defined several areas around the home:
- An entrance composed of a tree-lined walk and large grassy plains. This space offers a transition between the urban area and the farm, which is isolated in its unspoilt setting. It provides a generous view over the orchard in the north-east of the plot.
- A very pleasant wooded area which is part of the overall landscape, ensuring continuity between the golf
course and the farm’s land. - A family garden, the ideal place for different family activities with an extensive view over the golf course.
- The courtyard, a charming spot welcoming each person arriving at the farm. This space is particularly well appreciated from the inside
Construction, materials, products
Materials
The main farm building has undergone very few changes. The black substructure and the white
painted brick were retained. On the roof, the worn tiles were replaced with pantiles in a similar colour
to maintain the farm’s authentic feel. The single-glazed windows were replaced with double glazing
with black aluminium frames. The large openings created in the existing facade have an iron lintel
painted white. Finally, the large dormers created next to the staircases are made of steel in the same
colour as the joinery. The visible rain water downpipes are coated in zinc.
The new extensions are made of a timber frame with charred wood cladding. This wood was chosen
specifically to provide the desired colour scheme but also to offer excellent resistance over time. The
car port by the extension is made of slatted wood to create a generally more spacious feeling. The
joinery is all made of aluminium, which matches the colours of the main farm building. The dormers
are made of steel in the same style as those created in the existing building. All rainwater downpipes
are visible but integrated into the facade’s design. Where they are exposed for technical reasons, they
are coated in zinc.
Landscaping (by the landscaper Thomas Leplat)
The priority was to provide a continual landscape between the golf course and the farm’s plot.
- All fences were changed. They were kept simple in order to blend fully into the environment.
- The large entranceway comprises two paved paths with a grass strip in the middle. The entrance
space in front of the home is a mix of paving, a concrete strip, flowers and grass. - The very natural feel of the wooded space is retained. A gravel path was created between the trees
to offer several viewpoints over the golf course and home. - Particular care was taken with the landscaping of the terrace and patio. The terrace and swimming
pool have been designed to remain private from the golf course. The terraces are paved and the
swimming pool is surrounded by a concrete strip.
The Landlords
The landlords of the residence is a couple and their four children. In 2017, when they acquired the 19th century farmhouse, their children ranged from 10 to 17 years old.
Since 2001, and until they settle in 2020, they live five minutes away, their children went to school
nearby, many of their friends are in the neighbourhood, and they like to walk in the surrounding
nature. They liked very much their house they have occupied until then, designed by the
architect Jean-Pierre Watel. But they were looking for a rare pearl in the neighborhood: a larger
house and site than theirs.
They dreamed of a family property: a place where memories, their family events and their friendly
receptions will be built over the decades. They do not wish an ostentatious property but a
welcoming, modern, comfortable and evolving place, where they will «feel compfortable the both
of them, or being 40, 80 or 100 here». They felt «passionate about the idea of living in a (re)»
designed «or (re)» built «house by [them] and with [Coldefy]! : it was one of [their] dreams as a
couple. «
In 2017, they hear that the old farmhouse of an 18th century castle and its surrounding land,
which have belonged to a family of collectors, will be put up for sale. They knew this property
well, it met their wishes in all points. The news was not official that they already acquired it. They
made the wish to keep the soul of the place, modernizing and modulating it.
The Demand
Their wish was to occupy the entire surface of the re-exploded farmhouse, including possible small
enlargements. They wished an unrestricted distribution of the following spaces:
- on the ground floor, the entrance, the pantry, the laundry room, the kitchen including a breakfast area, the cellar using the underground space near the dining room, the living room, the TV room for adults, the billiard room and television for the children, an apartment reserved for the parents.
- upstairs, four children’s bedrooms, three bathrooms, one with a bathtub, an office open to the bottom, a guest bedroom above the parents’ apartment.
In terms of architecture, here is a list of their wishes:
- a maximum of views on the golf course,
- raw and noble materials,
- white and bright interiors,
- large rooms open and dedicated to living spaces ,
- through bays with brick partition in relief on the outside,
- raised windows on the outside, wide and continuous dormer windows upstairs,
- no attic, wide and visible stairs facilitating ascents-descents,
- the widening of the base of the U of the farmhouse on the courtyard,
- a welcoming and crossing interior courtyard,
- large terraces in front of the kitchen and dining areas to extend these rooms to the outside,
- partition doors, one or two fireplaces,
- a space dedicated to family meals in the kitchen,
- a lightly covered exterior entrance.
The relationship between Coldefy and the client was fluid. Coldefy came up with four scenarios, clients quickly choose one of them.
Project Details
- Project name: Residence G – North of France
- Program: Refurbishment and extension of a 19th century farm building into a single-family home, landscaped garden, swimming pool, fixed furnishings.
- Location: North of France
- Status: Delivered in 2019
- Budget: Not disclosed
- Surface:
- Existing surface area before works: 382 m²
- Deconstructed surface area: 158 m²
- Created surface area: 174 m²
- Total project surface area: 398 m²
- Land and surrounding area: 13,000 m²
- Client: Private
- Lead Architect: Coldefy
- Project Direction : Isabel Van Haute
- Project Manager: Sophie Graux
- Landscaper: Thomas Leplat
- Thermal Energy Efficiency: BEFL
- Economist: Optibat
- Health & Safety Coordinator: SPHINX
- Supervisory Office: APAVE
- Energy performance: RT 2012
- Photos: Julien Lanoo
- Dates:
- Order: June 2017
- Start of project: March 2018
- End of project: October 2019
