BLACK ARCHITECTURE IN MONOCHROME
Adaptive Reuse for Living
by Chris van Uffelen
© Braun Publishing AG, Salenstein, Switzerland, 2019
This plywood structure, situated in a farming village in northern France, houses a library, reading room, and garage. An extension of the client’s adjacent stone house, the 646-square-foot (60-square-meter) black structure sits in striking contrast to the traditional,
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white-and-gray, mansard-topped main residence. The exterior has been treated with pine-a traditional material used to waterproof the hulls of fishing vessels-giving the building both a contemporary and timeless appearance. The plywood and glass respite is connected to the house by a passageway lined in glazing that looks out over the rolling landscape. The library and reading area are situated above the garage to take advantage of the ocean view. Large walls of glass on three sides create a light-filled space that the architect likens to « a book opened onto the landscape. » The owner’s vast library is housed in a series of wall-sized plywood shelves. At night, when the space is illuminated, the black exterior recedes into the shadows, leaving only the image of a glowing sanctuary dedicated to the pursuits of the mind.
