Lao is not an additional floor, but an unfolded roof structure that preserves the identity of a traditional roof, adds height for the inhabitants, and opens views to the outside.

Attic conversions in the Old Town have become a recurring challenge in Bordeaux, as the city seeks to accommodate greater urban density while preserving its exceptional heritage quality.

Making the attic space habitable inevitably requires roof intervention, so rather than opting for the standard solution of adding a new floor or a volume atop the existing structure, we chose to unfold the roof like an origami in order to gain space and maintain the character of the building’s original framework.

The faceted form does not add a bulky block or an extra mineral volume but instead, it creates a triangulated shape that, while respecting zoning regulations, reflects the sky and integrates softly into the existing context.

The street-facing window reveals the triangulated geometry of the roof frame, crowns the façade with strength, separates the sleeping area from the living area, and shows the playful asymmetry of the rear of the building.

The panoramic window overlooking the public garden floods the volume with light and enhances the apartment’s viewpoint. Roof openings in the bathroom and common areas also highlight the habitable volume and the project’s unusual ceiling heights.