- Project: CTN House
- Architect: Brengues Le Pavec Architectes
- Location: France, Montpellier
- Year: 2024
- Area: 205 m2
- Photography: Marie-Caroline Lucat
Set in the tranquil green surroundings of Montpellier, France, the CTN House by Brengues Le Pavec Architectes is a refined example of architectural contrast and thoughtful renovation. Covering 2,206 square feet (≈205 m²), this single-story residence seamlessly merges a compact original structure with a bold new extension—bridging eras, materials, and architectural philosophies.
A Site Transformed by Transparency
Originally characterized by closed and compact forms, the house failed to connect with its prime location near a public park. In response, the architects introduced a radical transformation: preserving the night zone for privacy and renovating it for intimacy, while extending the house with a highly transparent and open daytime zone.
The new layout redefines the spatial organization, introducing:
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A clearly identified north-facing entrance
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A south-facing pool surrounded by garden
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Expansive glass façades that invite light and landscape indoors
Architecture Inspired by Mies van der Rohe
Drawing inspiration from the iconic Farnsworth House, the extension features a black steel frame with alternating panels of glass and shaded terraces. This assertive yet minimalist structure creates a pure architectural rhythm—transparent, linear, and elegantly horizontal.
The architecture celebrates contrast:
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Between old and new
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Between solid and void
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Between constructed geometry and natural randomness
A Dialogue Between Levels
The new extension is set at an intermediary level between the elevated original house and the lower garden. A carefully placed staircase, the sole physical connector between the two structures, symbolizes both transition and cohesion. Light plays a vital role in this journey—used strategically to smooth the temporal and spatial divide.
The result is a subtle interplay of volumes and elevation, where the horizontality of the steel frame mirrors the organic irregularity of the surrounding vegetation and trees.
Materiality and Modernity
Materials are employed with clarity and precision:
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Black metal provides structure and identity
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Glass panels invite light and dissolve visual barriers
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Terraces offer shaded zones for outdoor living
The entire residence breathes with light, air, and openness—qualities often reserved for stand-alone pavilions, yet fully realized here in an urban park-side home.
