Lodging in Lasauvage

The Lasauvage hostel, located in a village known for its rich history on the border between Luxembourg and France, is part of an extensive project initiated as part of Esch2022, European Capital of Culture, which has led to the creation of 11 different accommodations along a common hiking trail, the "Minett Trail". The gîte offers, in addition to a spacious common room, space for 7 beds distributed in 3 bedrooms of different sizes, one of which is also accessible to people with reduced mobility. The gîte is located in the village centre of Lasauvage as part of a structural ensemble of 4 identical houses and has retained its external appearance even after the renovation.

A main focus of the design was the flexible use of the building. The sculpture of solid wooden walls and panels integrated into the hollowed-out existing structure houses bedrooms, shower rooms, stairs and a small kitchen. On the ground floor, the footprint of this new spatial structure has been reduced to its essentials to create a spacious communal area that extends over two floors to the roof and serves as a place for meetings and gatherings. An important aspect was to combine architecture and art in such a way that a dialogue between the two disciplines is possible. This is where the gîte plays an inspiring role. On the gable walls, artist Lea Schroeder tells the story of the village of Lasauvage in painted bas-reliefs created on site. These works of art are not just decoration, but an integral part of the spatial experience, as they can be viewed from the rooms through windows and offer exclusive insights into certain parts of the frescoes. In this way, the hostel becomes not only a place to stay, but also a living narrative of the village's history and culture.

The conscious use of wood as a renewable resource, simple and robust surfaces and the reuse of existing structures reflect the commitment to sustainable construction and ease of maintenance. By reducing the new spatial expression to the essentials, a clever design was implemented that maximises the building's efficiency while creating a generous space for the community. The walls of the first floor have been 'suspended' between the wooden beams of the roof, which are in turn attached to a central metal beam at ridge height. This structural intervention is not only an aesthetic statement, but also contributes to the functional flexibility of the space and increases the building's efficiency of use. In this way, a careful balance between aesthetics and function was created, coupled with an uncompromising commitment to sustainability. The Gîte is a prime example of how architecture, art and sustainability can coexist in harmonious symbiosis. It serves not only as accommodation, but also as a cultural landmark, offering visitors a deeper insight into the history and community of the village of Lasauvage.