Maison F.H | Prville

Maison F.H
Delmas
Construction:1978
Photos: Roberto Stephenson

Origins and history of the property
• The residence located in Delmas—often referred to as the "Round House" or the "Heïdema House"—was originally built for Carl Denis. A rally car enthusiast, he insisted on having a garage attached to the house; originally, however, this structure was separate from the main building. The garage measures 7 by 7 meters and is shaped like a square-based pyramid.
To sum up, there are two pyramids on the property: one is round and the other is square.

Reconstruction in collaboration with Fritz Eïdemma
• In 1993–1994, the building was acquired and completely reorganized by Fritz Eïdemma, in partnership with Villedrouin. This renovation radically transformed the house: spaces were reconfigured, the kitchen redesigned, and the bedroom reimagined; additions included a spacious bathroom with an "organic" shape—reminiscent of a curved lock of hair—that was neither a pyramid nor a prism, but a distinctive, fluid form. The square, pyramid-shaped garage—which had never actually served as a place to park cars—was converted into additional apartments that became an integral part of the property.

Architectural Impact and Structural Design
• The main house, with a circular shape reminiscent of pre-Columbian Mexican temples, draws particular inspiration from the structure at Cuicuilco—a circular pyramid located near the National University of Mexico.
• In contrast to Egyptian pyramids, which are typically imposing with gradual slopes, the structures envisioned here feature steeper inclines (approximately 45°), echoing Mesoamerican pyramids such as those at Tikal or Teotihuacan. The design goes beyond mere aesthetics; it creates an organized interior space that yields an unexpected structural depth. The pyramid is not simply a massive, bulky form, but a dynamic, active system:

• This project involves two phases of gradually reducing the footprint, resulting in a series of stacked tiers. • The uppermost roof is designed to be open, forming an inner courtyard and featuring a cantilevered concrete cone that creates an air gap between the top tier and the outer walls.
• This arrangement facilitates exceptional natural ventilation through a 360-degree circular opening at the top, allowing air and light to penetrate deep into the living spaces—which might be likened to "car tires." The concept of natural light and ventilation evokes Rome's Pantheon (with its oculus), although the architect maintains that the design is original, inspired more by personal experience than by the classics studied in architecture schools.