A contemporary vision rooted in traditional architecture
Set against the picturesque backdrop of the South of France, this Mediterranean villa once embodied the region’s classic architectural style — characterized by arched openings, rounded columns, and the signature terracotta roof tiles. Over time, however, its charm began to feel more nostalgic than timeless, calling for a thoughtful transformation that would bring a modern touch while respecting its original identity.
Introducing a contemporary aesthetic by replacing the villa’s soft curves with clean, straight lines, was key into creating a bold yet harmonious new silhouette. Without compromising its true essence, the reimagined structure with a minimalist approach, helped carefully balance tradition with modernity. A key aspect of this transformation was the optimization of construction costs, ensuring that every intervention served both an aesthetic and functional purpose.
One of the most notable structural changes involved the villa’s basement, which was originally accessed from the front of main terrace. With the redesign of the swimming pool and outdoor areas, the entrance to the basement was relocated to the side of the villa, seamlessly hidden behind lushed, landscaped planters. This discreet integration preserved the clean and modern design while ensuring the basement remained fully functional for storage and parking, especially useful during the hurricane season.
A harmonious outdoor retreat
The essence of this transformation was reimagining the outdoor areas to create a fluid, sophisticated, and inviting environment. The most important intervention applies to the main central terrace, its swimming pool, and the elevated terrace with its curved hot tub. All of these elements were reshaped into a minimalistic rectangular basin with a delicate infinity edge and a beach-style slope to enter the warm water. This elegant redesign enhances the swimming experience while reinforcing the visual connection with the villa’s clean natural surroundings. Frameless glass railings now physically frames the terraces, yet eliminating visual barriers and allowing for uninterrupted views of the landscape.
Adjacent to the main façade, a flat concrete roof extends all over the living area’s bay windows, offering both shade and rain protection. This brings a new architectural appearance to the building by enhancing its modern expression. Similarly, the original gazebo, once perched on the elevated terrace, has been replaced with a flat-roofed pavilion supported by rectangular columns, reinforcing the desired minimalist aesthetic.
To further enrich the outdoor experience, a series of wooden pergolas have been carefully placed throughout the villa: over the individual terraces of each bedroom, at the heart of main terrace, and finally over the elevated outdoor kitchen. This area, designed for relaxation and social gatherings, offers the perfect setting to enjoy breakfast with the fresh morning breeze; or an evening meal under the open sky. A cohesive large-format tile flooring was introduced throughout the exterior, unifying the different spaces with a seamless, sophisticated finish.
Completing the villa’s transformation, the entrance was entirely redesigned to make a bold architectural statement. Concrete arches, strong yet elegant, now mark the entryway, while vertical wooden accents echo the newly integrated pergolas. In addition, changing the interior layout of the bedrooms was also a real challenge in order to bring a modern, comfortable yet functional feel to these spaces. The master suite now benefits from a large bathroom as well as a generous walk-in closet.
This revitalized villa became more than just a modernized home, it is a conversation between past and present, where the Mediterranean charm meets simplicity and functionality. Through its thoughtful architectural interventions, it now stands as a direct invitation to experience both comfort and timeless elegance in perfect harmony.
