Patrick Nadeau’s Green-Roofed Wave Home Changes Appearance with the Seasons in France

Architect Patrick Nadeau designed his green-roofed Wave House (La Maison-vague) as one of 63 experimental houses being built near Reims in France.

The vegetated semicylindrical shell acts as thermal insulation and glides gently to shelter the space while the rim surrounding the wooden shelf transforms into a big bench.

The Wave Home has two floors. On the ground level the living room, kitchen and multimedia space open up towards the exterior by sliding walls. The upper level houses two bedrooms and a bathroom that can be accessed by a mezzanine. The entire structure is made from timber, with a concrete foundation and polycarbonate exterior walls.

The roof features an automatic watering system and water retention mechanism. A special planting scheme, which wraps the entire north and west facades of these undulating houses, was designed in collaboration between the architects and landscape design firm Ecovégétal. It includes special herbs and grasses that are able to adapt to harsh climates and require minimal maintenance. Lavender, thyme and other small aromatic herbs are scattered across the roof surface.

The house changes its appearance with the seasons and symbolizes an ocean wave or an open field, while acting as a living, breathing micro-habitat for insects and birds.