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The Very Small Collective

· Carry-le-Rouet, France

A suburban 1950s house in Carry-le-Rouet is transformed into a compact, intergenerational living space through a lightweight timber superstructure.

Gravel path with stone and plaster walls, trees, and a modern timber building in the background.
A narrow gravel path lined with stone and plaster walls, with trees and bushes on either side. In the background, a modern building with a timber facade is partially visible.
exterior
Gravel path with stone and plaster walls, trees, and a modern timber building in the background.Modern house with timber facade, trees, and stone wall in a natural setting.Wooden building partially visible behind tree trunks with a stone wall in the foreground.Modern house with wooden facade and large windows, surrounded by sandy yard and trees.Timber-clad building with vertical panels and a large window, surrounded by trees and a landscaped garden.Two-story house with wooden exterior and outdoor staircase, surrounded by trees and stone patio.Modern house with timber facade, surrounded by trees and stone landscaping.A house with a timber facade surrounded by trees and natural vegetation.Wooden structure with exterior staircase and patio area with table and chairs.Wooden structure with outdoor dining area and stairs, surrounded by trees.House with timber superstructure and outdoor dining area surrounded by trees.Wooden staircase between wooden walls with blue sky above.Wooden staircase with vertical timber slats under a blue sky.Exterior view of a modern wooden structure with vertical slats and a narrow passage between two sections.Wooden terrace with outdoor furniture overlooking wooden structures and a distant sea view.Exterior view of a building with timber facade and wooden deck, surrounded by trees and a clear sky.Wooden terrace with outdoor furniture and timber superstructure under clear sky.Wooden structure with vertical slats near the sea and trees.Wooden terrace with chairs and a table, overlooking the sea and surrounded by trees.Wooden balcony with vertical slats and a curtain, overlooking trees and sea.Wooden staircase leading to a doorway with vertical wooden slats on the exterior.Coastal view with rocky cliffs, vegetation, and the sea under a clear blue sky.Interior view of a room looking out to a patio with a dining set and a rocky landscape beyond.Dining area with a large window, wooden table and chairs, and a sideboard with a plant and decorative items.Site plan of a house with surrounding trees and pathways.Floor plan of a residential space with living area, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathroom.Architectural floor plan with two distinct units and a shared outdoor area.Section drawing of a house with a timber structure and trees around it.Architectural diagram with a timber superstructure and existing house layout.

Architects

Location

The Very Small Collective

Redefining Suburban Living with Timber Elegance

Nestled on the Mediterranean coast near Marseille, The Very Small Collective in Carry-le-Rouet reimagines a typical 1950s suburban house. This architectural intervention by AT Architecture embraces the existing structure, wrapping it in a lightweight timber superstructure that preserves the original footprint while enhancing spatial quality and thermal performance.

The project addresses the evolving needs of a family deeply connected to their home, offering a solution that increases capacity, comfort, and flexibility without expanding the land it occupies. The design features three autonomous dwellings organized into a small housing collective: a main family apartment, a studio, and an independent bedroom with a bathroom. Exterior stairs and terraces connect these units, fostering independence and adaptability.

Environmental sustainability is at the core of this project. The de-sealed soil restores permeability, while natural cross-ventilation and bio-based materials like timber and local stone enhance the ecological footprint. The use of prefabricated timber minimizes site disruption, and the exterior cladding incorporates offcuts, reducing waste.

Design Highlights

  • Lightweight timber superstructure envelops the existing house

  • Three autonomous dwellings connected by exterior stairs and terraces

  • Prefabricated construction minimizes site disruption

  • Use of bio-based materials such as timber and local stone

  • Natural cross-ventilation and restored soil permeability

Key Facts

Key Aspect Details
Location Carry-le-Rouet, France
Year 2023
Architect AT Architecture
Materials Timber, local stone
Sustainability Natural ventilation, bio-based materials

Programs

Intergenerational Livingresidential

Categories

ArchitectureSustainability

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