In the heart of Vauban, this townhouse entirely restructured by architect now enjoys an outdoor patio redesigned in a Mediterranean spirit, to enjoy every day.

Objectif

Develop this small area nestled at the back of the house, and bring together all the functions of an exterior, playing on its connection with the large living room.

Ligne de conduite

The intention was to free up the space while integrating it into the interior renovation thanks to the choice of materials, to blur the inside-outside boundary, typical of the Marseilles way of life.

The 4.50 by 2.50 meter freijo wood bay window naturally connects the two spaces.

Mise en oeuvre

The idea was to work with masonry elements to gain space and create rhythm. Basin, benches and planters are directly inserted into the volume of the patio, which is now ready to house the bulk of the summer kitchen. The tree planters in the background break the verticality of the space, and are composed of strelitzia reginae and augusta, aspidistra, and euphorbia ingens and myrsinite.

The strict lines of the elements are mixed with raw and mineral materials in warm tones to invoke the sweetness of Mediterranean living.

While the walls are adorned with a light sand-colored plaster, the floor is entirely covered with tiles made of quartz powder and salmon-colored granite with an aged look by the Italian brand La Pietra Compattata. The southern influence continues in the choice of outdoor furniture, with the custom-made dark brick-colored seat cushions and the terracotta tiled table, made by Honoré.

A summer feeling all year round.

  • Crédits photosGabrielle Voinot
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Before …

In the heart of Mazargues, the exterior of this apartment was already structured by its shape but never really invested. A challenge in only 50 m2!

Target

The exterior of this apartment, located close to the hills of Marseille, was already structured by its shape but never invested. It consisted of a wooden terrace that covered the entire space, and on the side, an outdoor shower/mini pool to cool off in the summer. It was essential for the clients to protect themselves from the opposite side of the house, to occupy this exterior as a real additional living room. A challenge in only 50m².

Course of action

Vegetate the whole space, but also create real distinct living spaces.

Achievement

The shower/mini pool area has been rethought in the choice of materials, a square blue Onyx mosaic has been put in place, to allow this element visible from the living room, to be an “object” highlighted summer and winter. The low wall separating it from the terrace was widened to provide a comfortable seat on both the shower/mini pool side and the terrace side. Facing this element, a module in waxed concrete and red cedar comes to dress the wall until now unoccupied and is broken up of several elements: air conditioner cover, summer kitchen and large masonry bench. These elements allow the installation of a lounge area, to spend convivial moments from the arrival of the beautiful days.

To protect the terrace from the opposite side, the openwork red cedar and metal screens close the terrace on the hillside without depriving the owners of the green view. The colors of the landscape are also found on the terrace: shades of green/gray for the plants, Ravel pottery in white terracotta, and a planter in earth fiber. Even the choice of furniture (Fermob and Arkimueble) links the different shades of the hills and the sea that is so dear to them.

Finally, a custom-made awning protects the entire length of the terrace and custom-made seat cushions have been designed in nautical fabrics, all made to measure for optimal comfort.

A renovation that smells like summer!

LE QUARTIER

Mazargues

A real village in the city, it has kept this spirit around its shopping streets.
  • Crédits photosGabrielle Voinot
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Before …

This villa designed by architect Alain Richard in 2007 has a 100 m2 roof terrace offering an exceptional panorama of the sea and the hills of Les Goudes.

Target

Develop this unused roof terrace. Largely dominated by its direct relationship with the sky, and the minerality of its context, the layout of the roof must blend into the decor.

Course of action

Work on the question of the limit and allow this new roof terrace to integrate elegantly and discreetly into its environment.

Achievement

The aesthetic choice was to work with light furniture, whose colors and materials are reminiscent of the immediate environment, or make nods to the imagination evoked by the place (boat, port, forts, etc.). The garden lounge and the dining area are the two strong, structuring elements, around which the color is brought by the small furniture, the decoration and the vegetation. Strict and direct forms are mixed with softer ones, to bring a touch of harmony and softness to the whole. The layout of the terrace contrasts with the brutality of its landscape. One serves the other for more lightness.

The outdoor design was realized in partnership with Good Design Store, for the supply of furniture (Fermob, Houe, Gervasoni, Petite Friture, Serax), Basset Diffusion Aubagne nursery for the plants (olive tree, phormium, dasylirion, cycas, etc).

A roof terrace where the owners now enjoy spending quality time!

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Private: Les Goudes

At the gates of the calanques, this district is in osmosis with nature.
  • Crédits photosFranKc Orsoni
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Before …

In the heart of Bompard, the exteriors and views from the top floor of this townhouse appealed to the new owners. This small enclosed garden had to be able to accommodate two distinct spaces: a terrace/summer kitchen and a garden area.

Target

Nestled in the heart of Bompard district, this small enclosed garden had to be able to accommodate two distinct spaces: a terrace / summer kitchen and a garden area.

Course of action

This exterior was worked in two planes, signified by large horizontal elements, namely the low wall and the planting spaces.

Achievement

The result is a clever play of contrasts between sharp colors and a choice of plants with characterful foliage. Strelitzia and false pepper trees are green in all seasons, responding with character to the minimalist design painted on the wall. The low wall is long and accommodates the summer kitchen and garden spaces, creating an impression of perspective and depth.

A colorful and graphic patio, beautifully highlighting the different tones of the chosen species.

  • Crédits photosVincent Driancourt
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Before …

In this residence, the garden was already existing and arranged with a strong Asian bias. The clients wished to rethink this garden, overlooking all the living rooms of the apartment, by offering it more modernity.

Target

Bring the terrace back to life and link the different existing outdoor spaces by creating a real homogeneity.

Course of action

Bring coherence through the exterior design and vegetation and give this terrace a more current character.

Achievement

A colorimetry was defined in order to homogenize the different existing spaces on the terrace. Several shades of gray contrast with the raw aspect of the wood, the green of the plants and the wicker of the seats. Olive trees take place on the terrace to bring a Mediterranean atmosphere. The furniture was entirely redesigned with Fermob, AMPM, Poterie Ravel and EDA Plastiques.

A new life for this terrace!

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Périer | Delibes

An extension of the very chic Carré d'Or, Périer is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods...
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L’ avant …

In the heart of an old district of Marseille, a fisherman’s house with a bleached façade has been given a new lease on life after a thorough renovation.

Target

To bring freshness, to remain in the Mediterranean theme of the house, and to preserve itself from the opposite.

Course of action

Provide residents and visitors with a unique experience around local plants and color.

Achievement

The patio, mainly mineral, highlights the beginnings of color, by a blue planter with a lush look, in agreement with other elements: swing, shutters, interior colors. Through the interior staircase, the living room reveals a second terrace, a real living space. To limit the vis-à-vis, the pergola has been woven with ropes, to become the support of two bougainvilleas. The color is brought by the choice of the decoration – cushions, plaids, furniture. The linear white pots placed on the wall, host climbing and falling plants, mitigating the linearity of the latter. Ravel’s terracotta pots serve the space and the plants, bringing softness to the whole. By going back up the central staircase of the house, a last layer is revealed to us: the roof terrace with the appearance of a Greek landscape, with this shade of blue on the ground which, on certain days, harmonizes with the sky. The white bench, punctuated with graphic and dry plants, the summer kitchen with white canisses, the woven suspensions and the seaside furniture from Honoré, offer a total change of scenery as soon as the sun comes out.

A real city oasis, bathed in a resolutely Mediterranean air!

LE QUARTIER

Mazargues

A real village in the city, it has kept this spirit around its shopping streets.
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Before …