# Camouflaged Contemporary Homes This Modern Cottage is Concealed by a Traditional French Exterior By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2016-03-11 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/traditional-french-exterior References: [dezeen](http://www.dezeen.com/2016/03/11/disneyland-house-larch-corrugated-metal-cladding-alsace-france-gens-association-liberale-darchitecture/) & [gens.archi](http://www.gens.archi/) GENS: Association Libérale d'Architecture recently completed a contemporary home with a traditional French exterior. In some cities, strict regulations are used to maintain an area's historical charm. While such regulations can help to preserve historical architecture, they also limit designers in terms of how they can update aging homes. GENS: Association Libérale d'Architecture encountered this exact problem when working on a home in a conservative village in France's Alsace region. The area's strict regulations required the home to have a steeply pitched roof that matched that of neighboring homes. The designers thus used the [triangular gables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/des-lauriers-house) to conceal a more [modern home underneath](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sutton-house). As a result, the new home features a traditional French exterior and a chic, modern interior. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.0/10 - Popularity: 86% | Activity: 86% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Camouflaged Homes:** Opportunity for designers to blend modern architecture with traditional exteriors to comply with strict regulations. - **Preserving Historical Charm:** Potential for designers to find creative solutions in maintaining the historical architecture of a region while updating aging homes. - **Modernizing Traditional Homes:** Opportunity to transform traditional homes with contemporary interiors while keeping the exterior in line with local regulations. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Architecture:** Architects can explore innovative ways to camouflage contemporary homes using traditional exteriors. - **Design:** Designers can find solutions to preserve historical charm while incorporating modern elements in home interiors. - **Construction:** Builders can adapt traditional homes to meet modern standards while maintaining the exterior aesthetics required by regulations. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Juxtaposing Retro Cottage Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drew-mandel-architects.md) - [Gabled Annexe Vintage Cottages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solitgarreau-residence.md) - [Renovated Multi-Gen Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/n7-bretscha-house.md) - [Contemporary Mountainous Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mountainous-home.md) - [Wedge-Shaped Stealthy Cottages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbora-vokac-taylor-architect.md) - [Harmonious Modern Wooden Cabins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mot22.md) - [Forest Lantern Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iside-home.md) - [Compact Stone Conversions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/figuier-house.md) - [Juxtaposing History-Preserved Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/double-gable.md)