Brief

When we first visited the house, it was dark, fragmented and in poor condition. Yet beneath it we recognised the character of the mid-century New Provençal villas that once defined this stretch of the Côte d’Azur. Together with the owners, our ambition was not to create another contemporary Mediterranean villa, but to recover the understated glamour of the French Riviera of the 1960s.

Architecture & Design

From Shadow to Light

By opening the interiors to light, the house was reimagined as a sequence of open, interconnected spaces. Expansive glazing, terraced volumes and carefully framed views establish a continuous dialogue with the Mediterranean landscape, dissolving the boundary between inside and outside.

Embedded in the Landscape

The house follows the natural topography through a series of terraced volumes that settle into the hillside rather than sit upon it. Each level extends towards the sea, framing views while creating a sequence of sheltered outdoor spaces for gathering, pausing and inhabiting the Mediterranean climate throughout the day.

The Riviera, Reimagined

Rather than recreating the past, the project draws inspiration from the understated elegance of the French Riviera in the 1960s. Clean architectural lines, restrained detailing and a timeless material palette reinterpret that spirit through a contemporary lens.

A Local Material

Language Smooth stucco, warm timber and natural stone anchor the house within its coastal setting. Chosen for their simplicity and permanence, the materials age gracefully, allowing the landscape, light and everyday life to remain the true protagonists.

The Experience

Villa Cléo reflects our belief that residential architecture begins with understanding how people want to live – shaping a home around its owners, their family and the surrounding landscape. Spaces flow naturally between indoors and outdoors, while authentic materials and carefully framed views allow the Mediterranean environment to remain the true focal point. The result is a retreat where architecture frames everyday life – effortless, timeless, and designed for a lifetime rather than a season.