The municipality of Saint Germain-en-Layenext to Paris emphasises very much the value of the protection of its natural heritage. On this site of 2400 m2, located very close to the historic center, there was a modest house of less than 100 m2 of living space. The new owner needed much more space for his big family, but the site was classified as strictly uncontrollable. Two aspects were particularly appealing for us: the absence of stylistic and rhetoric means, and the idea of making architecture disappear. The weight of the concrete ceiling with its 60 cm of soil is received by 25 very thin steal columns, which are integrated in the 32 meters long glass façade. We developed this façade around a huge Lime tree that characterises the surrounding landscape. There are no other intermediate walls or columns. The entrance is on the level of the street, from which you descend into the extension. From this extension, everybody gets in its private space in the existing thus renovated house.
