Veering away from traditional compartmentalised Provençal architecture, they made use of large glass doors, all leading to the main courtyard where the pool and lanai are located. These doors allow natural light to filtre in, giving the space a pleasant feel. “It can be cold when the temperatures drop; and in France, majority of the people perceive space as a wholly indoor element,” shares Layug.

“With this design, we introduce the feeling of simultaneously inhabiting the interior and the exterior, as well as the idea of all-around entertainment because the common areas flow into each other.” And though these spaces are at the centre of the property, a modicum of privacy is maintained through the separation of the master and guest pavilions.

Positioned at a curious angle, the cascading roofl ne provides an unobstructed view of the open sky, emphasising the hierarchy of space. In the same vein, the doorways are oriented in such a way that they open to spectacular views, affording one an immediate connection with the surrounding nature. The abundance of outdoor seating areas provides additional options for convivial gatherings as well as venues for creative outputs. It was this environment that provided Layug the inspiration to work on the paintings that now hang about the house. “The vivid colours that are so organic to Provençe cannot be found in many other places in the world,” he adds. “No wonder it was a haven to the painters of the Impressionist period.”

Because the terrain has somewhat of a mystical quality to it, the changing of the seasons and the passing of time aff ect the property itself. Pineda reflects, “When you wake up in the morning, you are sometimes greeted by the fog, and you cannot help but think you are still dreaming. When you photograph a part of the house—say the pool or even one of the walls—at a certain time of day, the next one you take when you revisit it may evoke a different feeling because of how the light has touched it. The sights command your attention; you are enraptured until the moment has passed. It’s a unique sensory experience.”

For BUDJI+ROYAL, the design process is of equal weight to the finished product.  They take great care in understanding the lay of the land, ensuring that any structure they build will be relevant to the site that houses it. Concepts that are too foreign and too intrusive are out of the question; outwardly imposing on a terrain—especially one as storied as Provençe—is against their philosophy.

“The aim is to present the sensibility and identity of BUDJI+ROYAL to the world in a refined manner,” Pineda says. “We are not here to dilute or change who our clients are; rather, we want to be an addon to the roots that they have established. When we came to the site for the first time, we already knew that this house must have a unique soul because of the nature of its location. From the get-go, it was about taking things a notch higher; moving beyond architectural compositions to give the structure its heartbeat.”

Photography by Marc Henrich Go