Perched above the port of L’Estaque, in the north of Marseille, Villa Lacicada sits on a hillside of white limestone overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Designed by Architecture Nature and led by Isabelle Berthet-Bondet, the project explores the dialogue between light, landscape and Mediterranean living.
Built on a narrow sloping plot, the house integrates naturally into the terrain through a composition of white volumes cascading along the site’s topography. The architecture plays with shadow and brightness, creating a sequence of terraces that structure the domestic program and open the house toward a panoramic south-west view of the sea.
The spatial organization unfolds across two main levels. The garden level accommodates the bedrooms, while the upper living floor extends seamlessly onto generous terraces fully oriented toward the horizon. Wooden framed openings rhythm the façades and carefully frame views of the surrounding landscape.
Inside, materials amplify the generosity of natural light. Exposed concrete ceilings, travertine floors and lime-washed walls create a soft mineral atmosphere that reflects the coastal brightness. The house evokes a permanent holiday spirit, where indoor and outdoor living merge effortlessly.
A wooden pergola shades the outdoor dining area, while a sunken lounge invites moments of relaxation facing the sea. The infinity pool, intentionally set apart from the house, enhances the sensation of swimming toward the horizon.
The entrance sequence is conceived as a poetic ascent: successive landings, stairs and planted elements guide visitors to a solid wood door that marks the threshold of the home.
Villa Lacicada embodies a contemporary Mediterranean lifestyle shaped by raw materials, light and the timeless relationship between architecture and landscape.
