On a tree-lined street in Marly-le-Roi a small community very close to Paris where high fences traditionally isolate each house and its garden, there is a house which reaches out to its neighbors creating a feeling of urbanity previously lacking on these parts. Because urban policy does not allow one house to open up to another to achieve the openness effect, this house is moved forward its parcel to open widely onto the street. A perforated galvanized-steel fence allows the passers-by to look in at the garden, which actually runs under the house that seems to levitate on its plot.  It is also an invitation to enter: the access is made from this underground level beneath the actual house, where the firewood is stored and the car parked. 
© Schnepp Renou

Architects: L?agence KARAWITZ

Location: France

Area: 145.0 m2

Project Year: 2015

Photographs: Schnepp Renou

© Schnepp Renou

From the architect. On a tree-lined street in Marly-le-Roi a small community very close to Paris where high fences traditionally isolate each house and its garden, there is a house which reaches out to its neighbors creating a feeling of urbanity previously lacking on these parts. Because urban policy does not allow one house to open up to another to achieve the openness effect, this house is moved forward its parcel to open widely onto the street. A per...