The A-frame house meets all the criteria of the ideal ecological habitat : made of wood, therefore eco-friendly, it seems simple to build, within everyone’s reach for an affordable cost. Far from the sad and monotonous look of suburban pavilions, its unusual triangular design also plays in its favor, recalling Scandinavian houses or the cabins of our childhood .
With its characteristic triangular roof, the A- frame house leaves no one indifferent. They are currently experiencing a real craze due to their speed and low construction cost , much lower than that of a traditional house.
The reality is often more complex and the growing demand has surprised the market , which was not prepared for this sudden trend. The classic difficulties of self-construction and ecological construction also apply to the A-frame house. The constantly increasing price of raw materials also impacts the economic model of timber construction.
Like Tiny Houses, which are small and portable anywhere, the A-frame house is designed to accommodate only the essentials . This type of housing, like Tiny Houses, is part of the same minimalist and ecological trend .
The living spaces are designed in an innovative way : the bedroom is usually at the top of the “A”, while the living room and dining room occupy the base. The kitchen and bathroom are placed in the center of the structure, optimizing the use of space . The roof, which goes down to the ground, ensures excellent thermal insulation and a unique aesthetic.
The popularity of A-frame houses is based on several key advantages. They are not only economical and quick to build , but also environmentally friendly . Their design allows for reduced energy consumption thanks to natural insulation and a limited external surface area, which reduces heat loss.
What is an A-frame house?
A-frame house , A-frame house , triangle house , or ” A-frame ” in English, are terms used to describe this unique architecture. This structure is distinguished by its characteristic triangular shape , reminiscent of the letter A, with a steeply pitched frame and a roof that often extends to the ground. Typically small in size, this type of house is generally used for compact dwellings located in the wilderness .
Good to know: The simplicity of their structure allows great flexibility in the choice of materials , often local and sustainable, thus reinforcing their ecological aspect .
The first A-frame houses emerged in Canada and the United States shortly after World War II . This type of construction really gained attention in the 1950s and 1960s , thanks to a small beach house designed by American architect Andrew Geller .
Its unique design earned it a front-page feature in the New York Times in 1957. The A-frame craze quickly caught on among young American families, and they are now commonly found in backwoods areas.
Good to know: Today, these houses are very common in Canadian forests and also in Eastern Europe, where you can see entire villages made up of A-frame houses.
In France, A-frame houses are not yet as common as on the American continent or in Eastern Europe. They are mainly found in the Alps and the Pyrenees . However, their popularity has increased significantly thanks to the Elizabeth Faure phenomenon .
In 2013, this retiree undertook the ambitious project of building a triangular-shaped house herself near Lusignac, in the Dordogne on land she purchased for 16,000 euros. For a year, Elizabeth Faure supervised each stage of the construction of her 180 m² A-frame house .
Good to know: Her adventure, followed and documented live by a journalist, captivated the public’s attention. Since then, a real community has formed around Elizabeth Faure’s “homemade A method”.