Maison des
Nuages

The site occupies a high point above the Bassamba Valley. Steep slopes, mature vegetation, changing cloud cover, and distant mountains give the land its character and establish the design priorities.

The house sits along the ridge and faces west and southwest toward panoramic views and evening light. Its footprint follows the contours to reduce earthwork while protecting existing trees and natural drainage patterns.

A winding drive approaches from the north through dense planting. The arrival court remains sheltered and private, allowing the residence to emerge slowly rather than appearing all at once.

The double-height entrance spine frames light and sky before opening toward the great room and pool. From this point, the Bassamba Valley becomes the dominant view.

The five-bedroom, four-bath program places most of the private sleeping spaces within the solid rammed earth volume. The primary suite is positioned above the kitchen, with a private balcony overlooking the valley. Its openings are strategically placed to bring morning sunrise and evening sunset light into the suite, responding directly to the client’s request.

The double-height great room, dining area, and kitchen occupy the lighter pavilion facing the valley, while the sleeping volume provides privacy and thermal stability. Large glazed openings lead to shaded terraces and the pool. Within the water, a circular fire lounge with built-in seating creates a shared gathering place positioned for broad views across the valleys and mountains, including sunrise and sunset.

Rammed earth walls echo the color and horizontal strata of the hillside. Timber construction adds warmth and supports a lighter architectural expression around the living spaces. Planted roofs carry the landscape across the house and soften its presence when viewed from above.

The curved arrival wall, mature vegetation, and layered gardens shape privacy without closing the residence off from its setting. The lower glazed pavilion keeps the valley visible through the principal living spaces.

The current concept prioritizes rammed earth and timber, supported by climate-responsive orientation, natural ventilation, deep shade, and planted roofs. Together, these choices connect the house to local craft and support a lower-impact material strategy.

A ground-source geothermal system is planned to serve heating, cooling, and domestic hot water. Photovoltaic panels will contribute electricity, while rainwater harvesting will collect and reuse roof runoff. The concept also studies anaerobic digestion to convert organic waste into biogas for household use.