Villa Le Bois Dormant by PPFGoujon Architectes sits on a west-facing “sunset factory” of Mediterranean coastline, on a steep piece of land overlooking a rocky bay with crystal clear waters. The essence of the site was immediately apparent, setting a clear direction for the concept – it had to be all about the view. Reflecting PPFGoujon Architectes’ vision of respecting the location and environment, the intention was to reduce the project’s visual impact and make it blend with the landscape. The brief required generous indoor and outdoor entertainment spaces, a master suite plus three bedrooms, a proper kitchen open to the view, and a special playroom housing cars and wine bottles with a bar and lounge for screen watching and games.
The steep topography called for a stretched plan following the land lines, parallel to the sea and set below the road to hear only the wind, sea and cicadas. The view guided every design decision. Approaching the house from above, visitors park on the roof overlooking the horizon, with no clear entrance façade. A circular glass volume with a light sky-blue saucer roof on a dark sea-blue glass pebbles platform forms the entry, like arriving at a lighthouse from its top floor. A circular stairway leads down two floors to the garden level, where a sequence of indoor and outdoor spaces opens to the view, the long infinity pool and its circular fire-pit island.
Seen from the pool terrace, the villa presents a glazed façade open to the sea. The design balances light and sun: first-floor terraces are shaded by a cantilevered steel and wood structure, while a red cedar lacework shaped like waves veils the upper glazed wall of the main living and dining rooms. A canvas sail fixed to the dry-stone back wall shelters the outdoor lounge, dining area and circular bar. Below the pool, an existing promontory was shaped into a viewing platform for sunset aperitifs, overlooking the rocky bay and the Mediterranean garden of pine, oak and shrubs descending to the sea.
The garden floor houses the main living and dining areas in a double-height volume, the kitchen, TV room and the master suite, which opens to a private garden and teak deck shaded by pines. The upper floor includes three suites and a playroom designed for cars, wine, games and film watching. Finishes combine comfort and texture – raw brick walls, walnut panelling, carpet and soft lighting. A custom-engineered cantilevered car lift links the roof parking with the lower level.
Refined materials and meticulous craftsmanship define the interiors: layered limestone above the fireplace, Venetian plaster walls, custom stainless-steel handrails, Estremoz marble in the master bathroom, Zebrano veneers, and intricate stone marquetry of Limra and Serpentino across the floors and terraces. Custom-designed furniture, marble tables, palm wood cabinets, and enamelled lava stone pieces beautifully complement soft off-white materials and shifting Mediterranean blues.
