Immersed in the pine forest, this home blurs the lines between indoors and out

This minimalist wooden villa was created as a space to live and move within the pine forest of Soulac-sur-Mer near Bordeaux in France. Architect Nicolas Dahan has created a biophilic home which completely immerses you in it’s surroundings and the lines are blurred between indoors and out through the low slung siting, use of timber on the floors, walls and ceilings and over two thirds of the walls are made up of glazing so you are connected with the view in all spaces of the home.

The home is perfectly symmetrical, with 136 larch caissons and 136 okoume wood flooring panels and in order to achieve such precision, an on-site depot was built to shelter the construction and protect the timber from humidity, which could affect the near perfect finish. The craftsmanship of the interior structure of the home were much like techniques used for furniture which allows the structure to also be enjoyed as a feature in its own right.

Sustainability specs:
– All timber construction – Larch beams, Okoume flooring, glulam and plywood
– Cross ventilation is used for cooling
– Prefabricated in workshop to maximise material efficiencies and ensure quality control and to minimise waste and impact to the site
– Maximising solar gain through large expanses of glazing
– Earth air heat pump
– Biophilic design

To enter the pine forest is to enter the house. The site itself is integral to the architecture. The pine and oak trees provide shelter from strong winds. The ocean, though not visible, is so close that the sound of the surf rhythms the day. Nature runs through the bedrooms and the living room. The house is built where the air flows.