SITE​

Camlez, France

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STATUS

Built

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TEXT

Composed of two adjoined buildings from the 1500s and the 1700s, the manor becomes the primary residence for the stewards of Le Donan. Over time, the manor had undergone considerable stress, with cracked lintels, warped beams, and animalian damage to the the clay and straw mortar. Generations of repair had gradually amounted to a near-full concealment of the granite interiors.

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The first gesture was one of removal. Emancipated of their paints, patches, and plasters, the walls revealed hidden chimneys, historic bread ovens, secret alcoves, and other vestigial treasures amongst the meter-thick walls. The work had to be executed with prudence and great patience. The slate roof was lifted, every beam and floorplate was removed, and large portions of the walls were carefully deconstructed to accommodate new openings. Once stripped to its core, the contemporary residence was designed with restraint and respect for its lithic nature, using minimal enclosures to form the required interior spaces,