La Petite Maison Noire, Valojoulx | France

In the heart of the Vézère Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and close to the famous Lascaux cave, lies the small black house ‘La Petite Maison Noire’. In keeping with the region's architectural tradition, the client was faced with a design choice between a classic Périgourdine stone house and the modern touch of the iconic blackened wooden tobacco drying shed. He found the right partners in Baptiste Manet and Yann Legouis of Sapiens Architectes. The idea of the Petite Maison Noire as a timber construction that combines both building traditions and gets its characteristic black colour from a coating of charcoal and pine resin was born under their motto ‘achieve more with less’.

Originally designed as a 'radical hut' in the middle of the trees, the house had two bedrooms and two bunk beds. This layout offers the flexibility to receive guests and comfortably accommodate up to 6 people. The ground floor of the longhouse, built on stilts, was raised so as not to alter the natural terrain of the undergrowth. The house blends in with the surrounding countryside, with a large suspended terrace. The interior design by Crème Studio also strikes a balance between the charm of a simple cabin and modern design. The use of pine wood for wall panelling and fixtures creates a cosy atmosphere. The magnificent walnut staircase, carved from a single tree trunk, is a striking exception. Its remains have been skilfully transformed into handles for the sliding doors. A selection of used furniture fits seamlessly into the simple design. The large farmhouse table, which had belonged to a winegrower in Bordeaux and had spent 70 years in another life, was saved and transformed into a round table. An unexpected example of reuse is the 1.30 m diameter bathtub, which in its first life was an old cattle trough. The JUNG LS 990 switches in white fit perfectly into the cosy ambience.