Le Carrelet
Winning project for the competition "Festival des Cabanes d’Annecy 2023"
The cabin is built on the edge of the lake, where the embankment marks a horizon line, where the blue of the water confronts the greenery of the trees. From the distance, it appears as a heavy mass embedded in the ground, but when you get closer you see that it levitates above the water. Inspired by the fishing huts and their pontoon, it allows to dominate the water. It offers a proximity with the lake without touching it in order to show the greatest respect. Like a hole in the ice for winter fishing, a circular opening in the floor allows us to discover the skeleton of this cabin and to get even closer to the water. Intimacy, proximity and calmness await the visitor. The reflection of the water illuminates this space, a large opening frames the landscape, lets us see the water and observe beautiful fishes.
Landscape experience
On site the landscape is marked by three distinct visual fields.
In the foreground, the lake of Marlens. Large blue area, it forms a surface, flat and smooth within this landscape. Bordered by a flowery embankment, this body of water marks the horizontal lines of the landscape. It gives off a calm and peaceful atmosphere inviting us to get closer to it.
The second plan is marked by a first screen of vegetation. Behind the path around the lake, many trees are present and characterize the background. They come to delimit the close landscape from the distant landscape and serve to support us to admire the Lake. The tree trunks contrast with the water, they mark the vertical lines and stretch the landscape towards the sky.
Once we pass over the first trees, we can see the distant landscape. The mountains create an effect of depth and relief contrasting once again with the lake. The vegetation on these mountains creates a play of light and shadow giving an impression of vibrancy.
Fishing, a different way of contemplation
On the lake of Marlens the visibility is open, as soon as we arrive a vision of the whole lake is offered to us. On the shore of the lake, there are walkers, but mostly fishermen. Some benches and lampposts allow them to enjoy their passion, but all of them stay away from the lake. Couldn't we get closer to these coveted fish? In the distance the cabin emerges out in the middle of the landscape and doesn't hide from it. Its presence is assumed. Perceived from the distance at first, it awaits the visitor walking along the path. Gradually the hut reveals its dimensions and all its assets. This one is implanted at the edge of the water, where the embankment marks a horizon line, where the blue of the water confronts the greenery of the trees. This cabin is the interface between the lake and its surroundings. From the distance, it appears as a heavy mass embedded in the ground, like an object left at the water's edge, similar to the nearby bench. But it is by getting closer that a new reading of the cabin is allowed. This wooden mass which seemed to be placed at the edge of the water is not actually there. It levitates above. Inspired by the fishing huts, it takes the language of the pontoon and allows fishermen to dominate the water. A few steps allow us to climb on this wooden box, then we can step over the water without getting wet. This hut offers a proximity with the lake without touching it in order to demonstrate the greatest respect. The box opens its interior to anyone who wants to enter it. Like a hole in the ice for fishing in winter, a circular opening on the ground. It leads to discover the skeleton of this cabin and to get a little closer to the water. Intimacy, proximity and calmness await the visitor. The reflection of the water illuminates this room, a large opening allows to admire the water and beautiful fishes.
