A shimmering second skin

Taillandier Architectes Associés

Daring use of red glazed tiles on the façade of a building in an idyllic village, home to 5,000 inhabitants, which still bears traces of its past Roman occupation... An audacious gamble masterfully pulled off by Taillandier architects

The order presented a considerable challenge: to construct a multi-occupancy dwelling in the commune of Fenouillet (north-west of Toulouse), an area characterised by a very low building density and stunning mansions set within large plots. The architects responded to this project, which was as ambitious as it was risky, with the clever idea of “building a multi-occupancy dwelling, while creating the impression of a single-family home”. The design therefore envisioned twelve homes in a first building visible from the street, added to which were four individual residences built at the other side of a pedestrian walkway. Viewed from above, the complex gives the impression of a prism, an angular building that appears to have been cut in two, at the heart of which is a shared walkway offering unobstructed views of the surroundings.

According to Foued Hammami, head of the architecture division of Taillandier Architectes : “Tiles require a much more controlled layout than bricks. They must all fall precisely in place so that we don’t have to cut them down. However, the extra effort is worthwhile, as the aesthetic finish is simply incomparable, especially in low-angled light. Depending on the weather and the time of day, the building takes on various shades of red or pink. Rain is a different story completely, as the water running across the surface reflects a completely different colour. It gives you the impression that the façade is constantly changing before your eyes and that is extremely beautiful. We wanted to think outside the box for this project. And I think our gamble paid off, because the creativeness and uniqueness of this building have been very well received. Proof of this lies in the fact that the apartments sold very quickly ! ”

Résidence la clés des champs, Toulouse, FR - Taillandier Architectes Associés - Volnay PV form TERREAL range