Stone and earth house

Location: Zaghouan, Tunisia
Project Duration: 2009-2015
Surface Area: 300 sqm
Status: Completed

Project Summary

The renovation and extension of this old peasant house in the Domaine Sainte Marie du Zit in Zaghouan represent a return to authenticity and the history of the place. The 11-meter-long room erected at the foot of the cliff, dating back to 1920 and abandoned for twenty years, became the starting point for this project of preservation and valorization of heritage.

In keeping with the spirit of the place, we rebuilt the large room, partially destroyed, using local materials such as earth recovered from the base of the wall and stones found around the house. The old walls, bearing the history of the dwelling and its former inhabitants, were preserved in their original state, thus retaining the imprints of time and experience. These walls testify to the history and soul of the building.

For the extension, we raised the old walls to build the bedrooms and outbuildings around the patio, creating a space consistent with traditional local architecture. The entire new construction was coated and whitewashed with lime, a traditional technique that ensures both the solidity and aesthetics of the buildings.

The flat vaulted roofs bring a touch of originality and character to the ensemble, while harmoniously integrating with the surrounding architecture. This respectful approach to the past and the local environment preserves the identity of the building while giving it a second life, adapted to contemporary needs.