Residence Maison A on the
heights of Aix-en-Provence

A foundation firmly anchored in the ground, crowned by a sleek volume of mass-tinted concrete

Via v2com

November 3, 2024

Perched on the elevated terrain of Aix-en-Provence’s Maruège district, an impressive detached residence boasts a spacious 350 m² floor area. This property stands apart from typical housing developments, instead occupying a generous plot within a landscape of expansive parcels.

Nestled between rural and urban landscapes, MaisonA stands as a testament to modern architectural ingenuity. The structure comprises two distinct elements: a solid base firmly rooted in the hillside and a minimalist upper volume crafted from mass-tinted concrete, adorned with wooden shutters. This hillside dwelling exemplifies a harmonious blend of contemporary design and environmental sensitivity.

Jean Baptiste Pietri, a visionary architect, advocates for a unique philosophy he calls “romantic rationalism,” which harmoniously blends rigorous rationalism with poetic expressionism. This approach emphasizes optimized construction design focused on structural efficiency while allowing for a creative interpretation of the site that infuses the architecture with emotive and aesthetic qualities. Pietri’s creations are characterized by their lightness, refinement, and elegance, reflecting a contemporary sensibility through graceful forms and meticulous attention to detail.

Central to his philosophy is the thoughtful selection of high-quality, noble materials, often customized to meet specific project needs, which play a crucial role in the overall design. In his work, materials are not merely decorative but fundamental to architectural expression, resulting in buildings that are both structurally sound and imbued with a sense of poetry and place. Through this fusion of the pragmatic and the imaginative, Pietri creates architecture that is intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.

The upper floor features three children’s bedrooms, each with its own private area, along with a communal family lounge designed for relaxation. The primary view is located in the living room on the ground floor, aligned with the hallway.

The viewpoint is exceptionally expansive, with the upstairs bedrooms providing unobstructed vistas of the valleys. Additionally, the terraces offer stunning 360° views. Each bedroom features its own bathroom, ensuring privacy and convenience. These self-contained rooms are connected by a long, well-lit corridor, while a shared relaxation area serves as a gathering space for all the bedrooms.

About the Pietri Architectes

Jean Baptiste Pietri, originally from the southeast of France and a graduate of the Paris-Belleville School of Architecture, founded his agency in 2001. Based in Paris, PietriArchitectes currently employs around twenty collaborators. Primarily active in the Île-de-France and PACA regions, his projects encompass a wide variety of programs, both public and private, ranging from individual homes to office towers.

Images: Mathieu Ducros

Other articles on Architecture and Design
Other recent articles