In the Shadows

Ennobling the natural geographic landscape and a simple inexpensive material, Architect Jean Verville creates an expressive form in the midst of a hemlock forest.

- Martin Teo

Jean Verville is known for being experimental and exploratory in his design approach. He has never failed to deliver a statement when it comes to portraying a design concept no matter how simple it may be. In his designs, elements of surprise are endless.

Nestled peacefully in the realm of a quaint forest, FAHOUSE presents an unexpected existence that seems to emerge from a children’s storybook. Exploiting the contrasts between opacity and light, the architect develops a graphic assemblage, which rises like two giant conifers, intensifying the dreamlike aspect of this architectural proposal. Derived from the archetypal shape of the house, the double triangular prism perfectly illustrates childhood, which characterises the whole development of the project.

In the FAHOUSE, the family who will be living in the new space inspires him. “The close relationship between parents and children brought me to rethink the weekend cottage experience. Usually, everything is designed towards a view that is often at the expense of functionality especially with young children,” he shares.

Conceived for a couple of young professionals and their two children, the cottage revisits the family home settings to explore an imaginary of three important elements – the site, its occupants and their way of living the family life. The close complicity with these clients during the design process, as well as the playfulness distinguishing their parent-children relationship have empowered the architect to highlight a new way of living their reality.

Throughout the construction, the close collaboration between the architect and the family promotes a shared enthusiasm that results in a flawless finishing to the envisioned design.