The plan is organized around an interior courtyard, while the largely glazed rear façade opens onto the forest. From the entrance, a linear vestibule leads to a slightly sunken living room, carved into the slab. This warm space is punctuated by a fireplace and animated by a double-height ceiling, emphasized by a long vertical curtain highlighting the dramatic elevation of the volume. To the left are more private areas: boudoir, office, workout room, access to the basement. To the right, the living spaces: kitchen, dining room, and stairs leading upstairs. All spaces flow in an intuitive circulation without abrupt partitions.

The interior reflects the occupants’ lifestyle: elegant, refined, yet warm. The vestibule floor, made of ceramic with varied tones, evokes slate laid in an opus incertum pattern. The architectural language, sober and geometric, is softened by subtle interventions: rounded lines on the fireplace mantle, curves integrated into the furniture and walls. The living room is dominated by a linear volume covered in terracotta ceramic imported from California, highlighting the fireplace, a client favorite. The Tekio pendant light, made of washi paper, diffuses a soft light into the double-height space. The palette plays off natural white oak and dark-stained oak, offering a rich and coherent contrast. In the dining room, a dark wood table dialogues with a lighter floor, punctuated by curves that recur throughout the project.

Designed with a sense of formal rigor, the kitchen is both discreet and spectacular. A central volume houses a hidden pantry and an integrated bench, marking the transition to the dining room. The island, made of veined natural stone, sits in the center as a sculptural element bringing daily functions together. Appliances and the coffee station are concealed behind sliding doors, contributing to the purity of the lines. Large glass doors connect the space to a covered terrace, extending the kitchen outdoors.

White oak, used transversely, clads the boudoir’s bookshelf and the full-height storage units, creating a consistent verticality. Each material was chosen to establish a calm and balanced rhythm while bringing warmth and texture. Upstairs, a simple double-flight staircase leads to bedrooms and bathrooms. The spacious, secluded master suite includes two distinct walk-in closets and an elegant bathroom designed for everyday comfort.

The Montpellier residence is a testament to the close collaboration between client, architects, and designers. The project showcases contemporary architecture rooted in its site, where every detail contributes to creating a living experience both poetic and thoughtful.