In 2013, architect Caroline Voet purchased a barn in the Auvergne region of France. She installed a timber-framed structure at the centre of the building, which interacts with the original timber trusses. This enclosed space serves as a compact holiday home tailored to her family’s needs, with side rooms that allow for flexible use throughout the different seasons.

In keeping with French tradition, the barn, dating from 1880, is dug into the ground along its northern side. At the bottom are sheltered stables, and at the top a high storage space for grain. For the first five years after the purchase, the family spent their holidays in the existing barn, without making any alterations. During this period, they got to know the place in all its details; the actual building plans followed in 2018.