A successful planning submission for the transformation of a large detached family house near Carcassonne, France, reconfiguring its facades and adding an elevated terrace overlooking the Montagne Noire.

Set on the edge of the gently sloping vineyards of the malepère, this house occupies a privileged position with a northern elevation that captures expansive views across the valley towards the Montagne Noire on the horizon. The project sought to recalibrate the building’s relationship to this panorama, enhancing natural light and strengthening visual connections to the surrounding countryside.

Central to the proposal was a careful re-positioning of existing window openings across the principal facades. Rather than increasing the overall area of glazing indiscriminately, the design strategically relocated windows to align with key interior sightlines and external vistas. This measured approach preserves the solidity of the original envelope while subtly shifting its rhythm and proportion.

Full-height, glazed sliding doors were introduced to the north facade, replacing smaller openings and establishing a more fluid transition between interior living spaces and the outdoor space. The apertures create framed views of the landscape, while drawing daylight deep into the plan.

A new elevated terrace extends from the northern elevation, conceived as an oak timber-framed structure that hovers above the ground floor. Inset glass floor panels are integrated within the deck, allowing daylight to filter through to the rooms below and mitigating the potential loss of light typically associated with raised platforms. The terrace offers uninterrupted views across the valley, reinforcing the home’s connection to its setting.

The successful planning approval is the first step towards reworking the facades and introducing a terrace, both of which contribute to enhancing the spatial quality of the interiors and the experience of the surrounding landscape, positioning the house as a more outward-looking dwelling within its rural French setting.

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