The AW² agency (Reda Amalou and Stéphanie Ledoux) delivered in June 2024, for the Domaine des Grands Lacs in Franche-Comté, four new cabins on a 150 hectare site located in the village of Chassey-lès-Montbozon (Haute-Comté). Saône). Budget: n/a Press release.
The four cabins in the Grands Lacs area are the first in the series of collaborations between the agency and Coucoo Cabanes. Here, architecture and nature live in symbiosis. We come here to cultivate humility and tranquility in the face of the majesty of nature.
These new cabins are designed on three levels set in a protective shell. The design of the cabin evokes a bud just before it blooms: the shell opens a little and reveals the interior spaces, still protected, but open to the surrounding landscape.
The first level, placed on stilts, is open to the view and the breeze. This large protected terrace allows you to live outside, while being sheltered from the sun and humidity.
The second level accommodates the bedroom. The through windows allow the space to be naturally ventilated, while enjoying the views.
The third level is that of the Nordic bath. It’s a moment of pause, immersed in the water and in the trees. At this height, the views are breathtaking. Alone or in pairs, the terrace allows you to gain height, while reconnecting with omnipresent nature.
The cabins, respectful of existing biodiversity, emerge among the trees, on the border of the nature reserve. Open or closed, their facades – the two protective shells – offer unobstructed views of the forest and lakes.
The shell is either closed or perforated. It is a filter that creates shelter, frames views, protects from the sun and wind, creates strong contact with nature so close.
Custom furniture
The wooden furniture was specifically designed to integrate with the architecture of the cabin. Positioned in the center, the bed distributes the spaces in the room. The lounge area is created by a simple arched bench seat and a coffee table. Opposite is the coffee and tea corner. At the rear, protected by the headboard, are the sink and dry toilets. The wardrobe and shelves complete the set, at the opposite corner.
Thermal comfort, already ensured by the efficient insulation of the envelope, is increased by the openings on the opposite facades. This allows for through air circulation, accentuated by a fan placed above the bed. The space is optimized, widely open, and offers a permanent visual connection with the landscape.
Architecture durable et fabrication locale
In this project, the choice of materials and manufacturing method accentuates the experience of total contact with nature. The location of each cabin is made according to the opportunities and fragilities of the site. It’s about protecting natural spaces while creating the most beautiful experience possible for visitors.
The cabins were made by MCF Bois, a company specializing in wooden frames, whose workshop is located one hour and fifteen minutes from the Great Lakes site. The wood used, Douglas fir, was sawn less than 30 km from the workshop. The cabins were prefabricated in the workshop, then transported to site. This prefabrication process, as well as suitable lifting equipment, allowed a very short construction time (4 days per cabin) and a minimum impact on site, which goes in the direction of the protection of the place and biodiversity.
Coucoo Cabanes’ projects support the local economy, reduce the carbon footprint through shorter transport times and promote the region’s artisanal know-how.
