- Project: House 2G
- Architect: Avenier Cornejo Architectes
- Location: France, Orsay
- Year: 2012
- Area: 216 m2
- Photography: Cristobal Palma
Located in Orsay, France, House 2G by Avenier Cornejo Architectes is a 216-square-meter residence completed in 2012. This sustainable, cedar-wrapped home redefines suburban architecture with a modern ecological vision that harmonizes with its leafy surroundings and maximizes natural light.
From Fast-Food Bus to Architectural Landmark
The site, formerly a quirky student hangout known for a double-decker English bus serving fast food, now hosts a serene and sculptural home. Positioned at the end of Rue Georges Clemenceau, at the entrance to the University of Paris-Sud, the plot benefits from a rare three-way view, including a scenic park vista.
The client, a family connected to the architects through mutual friends, encouraged a creative and relaxed design process. Their only requirement: a home filled with natural light—something sorely lacking in their previous residence.
Designing for Context and Climate
Integrating a contemporary home into a conventional suburban setting posed the project’s primary challenge. To meet RT 2005 French ecological regulations, the architects used Monomur brick construction with deep foundations to adapt to the site’s damp soil. Additional wood fibre insulation was applied to the exterior, enhancing thermal performance and energy efficiency.
A Skin of Cedar and a Soul of Light
The defining feature of House 2G is its cladding of red cedar wood strips, which unify the building’s volumes and offer a striking architectural language. These horizontal wooden bands act as both shading devices and sculptural elements. Their deliberate spacing filters and redirects daylight into the interior, casting dynamic shadows on angular white surfaces that evolve throughout the day.
Not only does the untreated cedar provide warmth and tactility, but it will also age gracefully—developing a soft silver patina that allows the house to blend seamlessly into its natural context.
Sculpted Interiors and Spatial Harmony
Inside, the home reveals a minimalist yet expressive spatial composition. A central volume connects the two levels, while an indoor patio ensures ample light reaches private areas such as the bedrooms and bathrooms. The open staircase serves as the organizing spine of the ground floor, and large openings frame carefully curated views of the surrounding landscaped garden.
This integration of sustainable design strategies, natural materials, and spatial fluidity marks House 2G as a benchmark in residential architecture that is as functional as it is poetic.
