In Montpellier, a red terracotta brick extension by (ma!ca) architecture is a bold and colorful addition to an existing traditional house.
The extension volume itself is minimalist but contrasting glazed bricks in varying depths produce a vivid and playful pattern of light and shadow across the exterior façade. The terracotta red stands out against the green shades of the pool and garden as well as the striking blue-green shade chosen for the external aluminium joinery.
Inside, the newly choreographed sequence of spaces results from the regular structural grid of load-bearing rectangular beams. The large and generous ceiling within the kitchen space allows for a wrap-around roof light that bathes the central space in natural light and enhances a feeling of connection to the green outdoor environment. Arched windows meanwhile frame views from the kitchen to the courtyard. The arches refer to the original house’s sculptural form and character, thus helping to merge old and new together.
Custom-designed furniture fills the space between the supporting grid of concrete columns. Furniture elements include a multi-purpose built-in storage that can be used as a toy-box, a customizable work area, a display shelving unit, a fireplace, a wine cellar and an entrance wardrobe. The cohesive use of colour and material for the flooring meanwhile infuses in the house a natural continuity.
Finally, a pool offers a constant flow from indoors to the vibrant outdoors.
