Architectural concepts and designs for the renovation of a French village house in the Razès region of southern France, transforming the hilltop property into a refined holiday home through a set of carefully coordinated interventions.

Perched within a compact rural village, the house enjoys elevated views eastwards towards the rolling Malepère hills. The design strategy focused on amplifying this relationship to the landscape while respecting the scale and fabric of the setting. Five distinct, yet interrelated, elements formed the basis of the project, four of which were subject to planning permission that was successfully secured.

A partially covered elevated timber terrace was introduced to capitalise on the panoramic outlook. Raised above the sloping garden, the structure provides a sheltered outdoor living space oriented towards the morning sun and distant hills. Its timber frame and simple roof form were conceived to sit comfortably against the existing stone and rendered facades, creating an extra dimension to the house.

Below, a new swimming pool and surrounding stepped terrace negotiate the site’s natural gradient. The stepped arrangement mediates between house and garden, forming a series of informal platforms for seating and sunbathing while anchoring the pool within the landscape. The composition reinforces the sense of procession from interior to exterior, culminating in views across the countryside.

Alterations to the principal facade included the addition of a porch canopy to articulate the entrance and provide shading, alongside the reconfiguration of a window opening to improve internal light and proportion. Discreetly positioned air-conditioning units were mounted on an external wall as part of the planning submission, integrated with consideration for minimal visual impact and long-term comfort. Internally, the extension of an existing mezzanine terrace enhances spatial continuity, creating a more generous vantage point within the double-height volume.

Together, the changes establish a cohesive architectural language that balances the new additions with the constraints of a historic hilltop village. The successful planning approvals reflect a measured approach, aligning modern additions with the character of the Razès landscape while adapting the house for relaxed seasonal occupation.