South view of the cabin
Located 50 Km south of Paris in a swamp, this wooden cabin was built over the course of four consecutive summers (2013-2016), with the help of two of my cousins, Emile and Alma de Ganay.
Originally thought of as a hidden hut to camp in over the summer vacation, this project became more important and challenging over time. We had hoped to finish it in three weeks, but as we were learning to use tools, measure, plan out and conceive space, this project continued and evolved every summer. Local acacia trees were felled and sharpened to become rot-resistant stilts that could protect the cabin from the swamps’ hydrological cycles. Oak beams and delivery pallets were then 'scavenged' and used to create the primary horizontal structure. A few iterations of the space and its fabric were built and then disassembled to reach this final version. The conception of space, the cross bracing, the material properties, the visual and the physical integration into the landscape, the ventilation, the water resistance, the lighting… All these important topics were explored and played with in the making of this wooden cabin.
Originally thought of as a hidden hut to camp in over the summer vacation, this project became more important and challenging over time. We had hoped to finish it in three weeks, but as we were learning to use tools, measure, plan out and conceive space, this project continued and evolved every summer. Local acacia trees were felled and sharpened to become rot-resistant stilts that could protect the cabin from the swamps’ hydrological cycles. Oak beams and delivery pallets were then 'scavenged' and used to create the primary horizontal structure. A few iterations of the space and its fabric were built and then disassembled to reach this final version. The conception of space, the cross bracing, the material properties, the visual and the physical integration into the landscape, the ventilation, the water resistance, the lighting… All these important topics were explored and played with in the making of this wooden cabin.
Many thanks to our friends who participated with great energy, ideas and enthusiasm: Charlotte S. Eleonore D. Jeanne Malle. Cilia H. Mateo H. Eva H. Naomi H. Gabriel M.
Work in progress
Wall structure
The team
North facade
Staircase to access the elevated platform