A contemporary renovation in a natural setting

A contemporary renovation in perfect harmony with nature

Nestled in the heart of a gently sloping, 2,000 m² wooded plot lies a site full of potential: a 1970s cabin in need of renovation, a pond, and a stream. This idyllic setting, ideal for peaceful retreats, inspired an ambitious architectural project. The owners — a couple living in Switzerland and heirs to a modest 35 m² cottage — entrusted Atelier d’Architecture Hébert with full creative freedom to transform the site into a contemporary holiday home.

A site-sensitive project

Located in a protected natural zone, the cottage could not be demolished without forfeiting the right to rebuild. Architect Mickaël Hébert therefore chose to preserve three of the original four concrete walls, while redesigning the façade facing the lake. On this side, he constructed a timber-framed extension, fully open to the outdoors and seamlessly integrated with the landscape.

A striking opening onto the outdoors

The new extension is defined by a glazed box — like an aquarium — clad with SOLEAL sliding doors (2.73 m wide by 2.15 m high) on either side, and a large AMBIAL folding door (4.26 m wide by 2.15 m high) facing the garden. When the four folding panels are fully opened, the boundary between indoors and outdoors vanishes, revealing flexible semi-open spaces that can adapt to the owners’ desires and seasonal use. These expansive openings encourage natural ventilation and establish a harmonious dialogue with the surrounding landscape.

Reimagined volumes within planning constraints

In both restructuring and extending the building, Atelier d’Architecture Hébert pushed the limits of local planning regulations. By carefully balancing floor area and building footprint, the architect created dynamic volumes that project, rise, and open to make the most of the space — while respecting the site’s uneven topography. From the original 35 m² and 15 m² of authorized extension, the house now offers nearly 100 m² of living space, including a covered ground-floor terrace and a second terrace on a lower level that connects to the home and features a semi-sunken pool. The connection to the garden is further enhanced by a wooden deck overlooking the small pond.

Finishes and technical performance

On the technical side, TECHNAL Certified Installer SML fabricated and installed the SOLEAL door and windows (95 cm wide), as well as a SOLEAL sliding door (1.64 m wide) in the ground-floor bedroom. Upstairs, along the mezzanine, a series of fixed and top-hung windows (80 cm high by 3 m long) maintain the home’s strong visual link to the outdoors. The façades are wrapped in open-joint timber cladding, offering both privacy and solar protection during the summer months, while reinforcing the project’s seamless integration with the landscape. Two shades of grey were selected for the aluminium profiles: a deep grey that blends discreetly behind the timber cladding, and a lighter grey that becomes visible where the cladding opens up. Impressed by this project’s balance of modern design, site sensitivity, and technical excellence, the owners ultimately chose to make it their permanent home — a true nature retreat.

TECHNAL solutions used:

SOLEAL sliding doors and windows, AMBIAL folding door