Photo Credit: Llivia Schmitt and Alexandre Drabzak.
Confluence House is an eco-friendly architectural project set within a site shaped by the meeting of two rivers. Designed as a healthy, warm living space open to nature, it features contemporary lines while remaining in harmony with the area’s historic built heritage. It is based on the principles of High Environmental Quality (HQE), bioclimatic design, and bio-ergonomics—the latter being an original conceptual approach that I initiated.
Built within a natural and heritage setting (an area listed as a Historic Monument site), the house was intended to express a pursuit of simplicity and integration, as well as a dialogue with its immediate surroundings, both architectural and landscape.
Combining comfort, environmental sustainability, and a celebration of the landscape. The house is designed to be a discreet presence on the urban side, yet fully open to nature on the other. The architectural style is clean, simple, and bold. The design, which aims to optimize views of the trees, the Garonne River, and the confluence with the Arize from most rooms, creates a genuine sense of immersion in nature.
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The design emphasizes large, open spaces between rooms, the use of wood, enhanced eco-friendly insulation, an innovative heating and cooling system that maximizes comfort, and large windows that allow natural light to flow through and offer immersive views of the landscape. The project exemplifies an approach that successfully combines materials, comfort, architectural integration, sustainability (both environmental and structural), and landscape enhancement.
Beyond a living space, the house is conceived as a place that resonates with the site—a link between the urban space and nature: a coherent way of living at the confluence.
Integrated principles: High Environmental Quality (H.Q.E.), bioclimatic design, bio-ergonomics (an original concept by Alexandre Drabzak).
2023
Carbonne, Haute-Garonne
Timber frame, wood-fibre insulation, hydraulic ceiling heating
Elisabeth B.
"I hired Alexandre DRABZAK to build my house. It is distinctive, functional, and benefits from optimal natural light. The reversible hydraulic ceiling system was his idea, and I must say it is both particularly comfortable and highly efficient. The house is very pleasant to live in, with its sheltered terrace designed as an extension of the interior. And, the work was completed within a very short time frame. I cannot recommend Alexandre DRABZAK highly enough for his commitment, rigor, and expertise."
Elisabeth B.
