Set in the village of Puy-Sainte-Réparade in southern France, this single floor home by PietriArchitectes feels less like one building and more like a carefully arranged series of moments. From the outset, the project is defined by its relationship with the land, sitting quietly within dense vegetation on a hillside that looks out towards the Alps.
Rather than imposing a large structure onto the site, the architects designed the house to follow the natural orientation of the land. The result is a low, horizontal composition that limits changes to the slope and preserves the wild character of its surroundings. Nothing here feels forced. The architecture adapts to the landscape, not the other way around.
The house itself is divided into three separate buildings, two of which are connected. This fragmented layout helps the home blend into its setting while also creating a more intimate experience as you move through it.
The first building is the garage, positioned so it is visible from the carport that overhangs the driveway. It is a practical element, but one that has been carefully considered as part of the overall architectural composition rather than treated as an afterthought.
Directly opposite the carport sits a water feature, paired with a strip of landscaping that runs tight against the house. This moment immediately sets the tone for what lies beyond. Water, greenery and architecture are intertwined from the very beginning, softening the arrival experience and slowing the transition from outside world to home.
That strip of landscaping continues between all three buildings, becoming a central organizing element. It separates the garage from the second and third structures while visually and spatially stitching the entire home together.
One of the buildings contains the kitchen and a casual dining area, forming a relaxed everyday hub. Adjacent to it is the third building, which houses the living room, a more formal dining space, and the bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bathroom. This separation of functions creates a sense of rhythm across the site, allowing each zone to feel distinct while still connected.
Linking the second and third buildings is a hallway defined by floor to ceiling windows. As you walk through, the garden becomes the focus, with uninterrupted views that reinforce the idea that the landscape is not something outside the home but something that runs directly through it.
This idea is echoed in the broader architectural concept. The project is divided along a vegetated canal, a perspective that remains visible throughout the house. Rather than forming a single monolithic structure, the home is composed around voids and open spaces, a clear reference to traditional Provencal bioclimatic architecture.
Inside, the palette is deliberately restrained. White walls, light wood flooring and an abundance of windows keep the interiors bright and calm. Natural light moves freely through the spaces, reflecting off pale surfaces and enhancing the sense of openness.
In the living room, a full wall of glass retracts completely, opening the interior to a deck and swimming pool outside. When opened, the boundary between indoors and outdoors all but disappears, turning the main living area into a fluid extension of the garden.
By dividing the home into smaller volumes, threading gardens and water through the layout, and drawing on local architectural traditions, PietriArchitectes have created a modern house with an easy, unforced feel.