SAOTA's saint tropez summer house features an undulating timber ceiling

SAOTA has recently completed a summer residence for a family in the coastal town of saint tropez in south-east france. commanding a generous site that borders a clearing of pine trees to the southern edge, the house is aptly titled ‘le pine’. combining a sumptuous palette of materials with large, open living spaces that blur the line between indoor and outdoor, the realized project provides a contemporary interpretation of traditional mediterranean riviera architecture

all images © adam letch

positioned at the back of the plot, le pine is designed to step down into the contours of the land and maximize the existing features of the site. ‘when we first went onto the site, we found it lovely that you could look up into the pine forest and experience those amazing volumes under the canopies of the pines,’ says SAOTA director stefan antoni. ‘that became an important cue when we developed the design.’

the program of the summer house is planned as two rectilinear wings that surround an open, central courtyard space. upon entering the building, an extensive dining and living area is straight ahead, while a large family kitchen can be found in the north-eastern wing. the quieter bedroom spaces are located in the opposite wing, and additionally on the second floor, affording the residents a greater degree of intimacy. the palatial master bedroom on the upper level also includes a dedicated staircase that provides access from a double‐volume private lounge.

the dining and living room becomes the heart of the design and spills out into the external pool area thanks to large panels of glazing that can be fully opened. this façade extends the house into the landscape, connecting the built form with the natural surroundings while also flooding the interior with light and the fresh sea breeze. ‘our first objective was to try to maximize the perception of space,’ says SAOTA director phillippe fouché, lead architect on the project. ‘we did that by creating generous outdoor covered spaces, which make it feel as if the interiors spill outwards and extend to the front of the site.’

within the interior of the main living and dining area, the space is articulated by an undulating roof that ripples out to the exterior. built from exposed timber planks, this design element makes reference to the bordering pine trees and the coastal location of the house. the curves of the ceiling also act as a juxtaposition against the straight, rectilinear volumes, bringing an organic touch to the architecture.

the palette of interior finishes has been selected to complement the idea of a contemporary mediterranean coastal villa. concrete blends with the exposed timber and expanses of opulent dark marble, creating a beautifully inviting residence. to the rear garden, a long pool is stepped down into the site, exaggerating the length of the property and leading the eye to the horizon ahead.