‘Maison Z’ (‘house Z’), situated in the Gard department in the south of France, encompasses a site measuring 29,600 square feet and is home to several independent farmhouses in a style that is typical of the Cévennes region. The aim of the project is to reconnect the two main ancient buildings via new construction. By skillfully juxtaposing the ancient building and the new construction, architect Gil Percal has managed to ensure that all rooms are at the heart of the dwelling, gathered in an open-plan space that includes a living room, dining room, and an open kitchen. This new construction has an exposed structure from the outside, which is emphasized by a metal beam, round, steel poles, and a series of floor-to-ceiling windows measuring approximately 9 feet high.
Maison Z in Baron, France. Photography: © Gil Percal Architecte
This open space enjoys a wide view onto the outdoor space, and the floor is entirely covered with mid-grey tiles from the Ultragres Terra XXL collection by Mosa measuring 36×36 inches. Beyond the series of windows, the floor leads seamlessly onto an outdoor terrace that features tiles from the Mosa Exterior Flooring Collection – identical in dimension and color to those inside – placed on pedestals. These are high-quality tiles with a 30-mm thickness, specially designed by the Dutch manufacturer for use in outdoor designs.
The absence of a threshold to the right of the windows, and the use of large tiles, accentuates the uniform character of the slab layout between the indoor and outdoor areas. “There are two reasons for choosing waxed concrete tiles. First of all, they are less costly to remove if work needs to be done on the underfloor heating system. And secondly, the follow-up of collections at Mosa ensures that we can find the same tones and dimensions of the different tiles used, even in a few years and despite our location in France”, explains Gil Percal, the architect for this project.
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The new open-plan living area provides a breathtaking panorama of the site with a view of the swimming pool below, which is bordered by tiles from the Ultragres Terra Maestricht collection in anthracite tone, measuring 12×12 inches. These high-quality tiles also adorn the floor of the pool house, a new construction that is open on two sides and features an IPE 300 beam as well as exposed metal poles. Walls were erected on the two remaining sides of the pool house and decorated with stones recovered from the demolition areas in order to reflect the architectural language of the two main buildings now unified by the new construction.
Maison Z in Baron, France. Photography: © Gil Percal Architecte
The juxtaposition of old and new is also visible in the new openings of the buildings, where the facades were once hidden prior to construction. A set of high French doors with an exposed steel frame offers a plunging view onto the site and the swimming pool. The walls of the ground-floor bathroom are adorned with brilliant white, embossed Mosa Murals tiles measuring 6×6 inches, while the floor is tiled with Terra Maestricht tiles measuring 12×24 inches.
Mid-grey tiles of the same format from the Terra Maestricht collection are present on the floor on which the three bedrooms and their respective bathrooms are located. The steps of the access stairway however, are adorned with tiles from the Terra XL collection measuring 12×48 inches in order to retain the uniformity of tones throughout the dwelling.
Maison Z in Baron, France. Photography: © Gil Percal Architecte
The architect adds, “The different collections of tiles by Mosa imbue the pure ceramic floors with a certain mineral quality, striking the perfect harmony between three contemporary materials – glass, metal, and wood – found on the stone walls of the old construction.”
PROJECT DETAILS
Project: Maison Z
Architect: Gil Percal Architecte
Location: Baron (France)
Surface area: 2152 sqft
Year of completion: 2015
Mosa collection: Terra Maestricht
About Mosa – EN
Mosa has more than 130 years of experience in the ceramic tile industry, creating high-quality ceramic indoor and outdoor floor tiles and wall tiles. We continue to explore the possibilities of ceramics which keeps our products progressive and innovative. Each year, around six million square meters of ceramic tiles are supplied to 30 countries on four continents. Providing the architectural world with superior quality, finely designed and functional tiles, Mosa remains a distinct leader in the global tile industry.
Mosa has a strong commitment to sustainability throughout its design and manufacturing process, adhering to the Cradle to Cradle® principles. This allows for the reuse of materials in order to limit waste, save energy, and take on social responsibility according to five main criteria: pure raw materials, large recycling potential, low energy consumption, environmentally friendly water management, and good working conditions. Mosa is the world’s first and only ceramic tile company to gain full Cradle to Cradle® Silver certification for its entire tile collection. Years of research and investment have yielded even more results, including ISO 14001 certification, the Dubokeur seal and registration in the Dutch National Environmental Database. Mosa tiles also contribute to sustainable building certifications.
