Set on a hilltop village in the Razès region of southern France, this house - which once was part of a much larger, grande maison d'maitre - has been carefully remodelled following its recent purchase, addressing a long-neglected interior while unlocking the potential of its compact exterior spaces. The renovation was conceived as a precise intervention rather than a wholesale transformation, balancing contemporary living requirements with the character of the existing building.

The project was driven by two primary objectives. Internally, the upper floor was completely reconfigured to accommodate three guest bedrooms and a shared bathroom. Previously fragmented and poorly lit, the third floor has been reorganised to improve circulation and maximise natural light, allowing the new rooms to feel generous despite the constraints of the existing structure. Material choices were kept deliberately restrained, creating a neutral backdrop that highlights the building’s original fabric while introducing modern comforts.

At ground level, the kitchen was extended to better serve the house as a social and functional hub. The new layout improves connections between interior spaces and frames views towards the surrounding landscape, reinforcing the relationship between the house and its elevated setting.

Externally, the project reimagines a severely underutilised 40-square-metre courtyard as a functional outdoor living space. Enclosed by existing stone walls, the courtyard has been remodelled to incorporate a compact swimming pool and a terrace, transforming it into a sheltered retreat that extends the domestic life of the house outdoors. The intervention prioritises proportion and material continuity, allowing the new elements to sit quietly within the historic context while significantly enhancing the usability of the site.

Together, the interior and exterior works redefine the house as a flexible retreat for hosting guests, demonstrating how careful spatial planning can add value and comfort while only partially expanding the building’s footprint.

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