Inspired by the free floating shapes of Kazimir Malevich, the project proposes a cross shaped volume rotated away from the hillside, towards the view. The levels are stepped to meet height regulations and partly carved into the hill to compensate for lack of buildable land. The volume gently cuts into the existing landscape and leaves space for the beautiful Mimosa tree in the middle of the site.
From the street level above, one only sees the green roofs and beginning of a wall. The path to the main entrance leads down along this wall and into a narrow void between garage and main house, offering a preview of the Mimosa tree and garden below. On the other side of the wall, is the roof terrace and swimming pool. One level down, the living room with dining terrace just overlook the tips of the trees towards the bay. The lower level has the utility rooms and bedrooms that open up to the garden.
A steep north-facing plot in the hills of Cavalaire-sur-Mer has its upsides and downsides. The upside is the view over a bay of the Cote-d’Azur, the downside is the drop in the elevation leaves little room to place a building in a way one would be able to enjoy the sunny views and not the shadows. Municipal regulations add to the challenge. Height limitations prevent a vertical stacking of the programme, which would easily raise above the tree-line.
project - Villa Cavalaire
program - private villa 250m²
location - Cavalaire-sur-Mer, France
status - building permit
client - private
architecture - Common Practice, Atelier Gabrielli Architecture
photography - Max Hart Nibbrig (model)