|
NEWSLETTER No. 3 - JULY 12th 2005 This latest newsletter is focussed on villas. The term 'villa' may evoke grand ideas but the French use the term in the south of France to define practically any 'contemporary' dwelling. Besides offering a functional and sound habitat, they can take on a number of forms, beautified in many ways and when chosen correctly they can represent particularly good value for money. Hence the villa should not by any means be ignored when searching for a property. Whether it be for a new build, or where remodeling is concerned, it is the job of the architect to come up with an interesting shape, to shed old and tired looking features and refresh in a number of ways. This theme of the fortnight is villa re-modeling. This can be done in various ways and at varying scales. Various options are detailed below. In addition, a brief is given on two villas currently on the market with considerably different styles. Kindly note that various problems have been encountered with e-mail over the last month. Please accept apologies should you have made an enquiry and not received a reply. To ensure your request is treated rapidly please use the enquiry form on the website at the following page: http://www.jamespropertiesfrance.com/contact.php Themes Of The Fortnight: Villa remodeling The project of creating an impressive villa from a tired looking one can be ultimately very rewarding. Various techniques go into the thought process of re-designing a house. The link between interior and exterior is perhaps the most prominent architectural theme, particularly when the climate permits an outdoor lifestyle and when there is a maximum to gain from an expansive landscape. The 'outdoor room', in French 'dedans dehors', which translates literally to 'inside outside' is an architectural zone where the boundary between inside and outside is deliberately blurred, to either give an impression of bringing the garden inside or vice versa. So extensive is its use in architectural circles that the term 'dedans dehors' has been used of a section of the central courtyard of the Chateau of Versailles which has a distinctly interior feel while being totally open to the elements. Architect Maurice Sauzet, based in Marseille has undertaken various villa remodeling projects and as such can be considered a solid reference point as regards rendering dwellings more harmonious with their environment. He has published a number of books, of which his latest, "Habiter l'Architecture" features several examples of his remodeling projects and new builds. His association on this book with a philosopher with an intellectual slant toward rethinking landscapes makes for interesting reading. Prior to this he published books entitled "Entre Dedans et Dehors" and "Entre Japon et Méditerranée". The main principles involved in villa recreation include: - Creation of 'outdoor rooms'. This includes the replacement of large spans of wall with vast sliding windows by way of the installation of beams and pillars. The seamless nature of the link between inside and outside, a terrace just beyond the window and level with interior flooring. Also the extension of roof lines or the use of awnings to create sheltered terraces. - Collective re-thinking of the entire house. By this we mean that often a house is the result of a number of successive add-ons that made sense at their respective times of construction, but often need to be rethought more logically as a whole. - Re-orientation of the house. This is done sometimes to better take advantage of a particular view, to hide the presence of newer neighbouring constructions, to create a new flow in and around the house, or to simply establish stronger visual links between the house and the world beyond. - Re-thinking the way space is used. Exterior space - gardens and driveways - may be redesigned to hide the presence of cars and make for a more natural environment. - The adding of new wings to enlarge and give more character - The creation of open yet characterful interior spaces, in keeping with trends for more open plan living. - Finally, one of the more audacious architectural features includes passing existing trees through holes bored in extended terraces and roofs. A worthwhile re-modeling project needs to be a good base to start with, if not simply the potential of the house itself, then the grounds, the environment, the views etc. In addition, the house would ideally represent good value for money. Obviously a very dated house will more easily justify the total refreshing of internal fittings. A forthcoming newsletter will focus on the activities of a Montpellier based architect who has specialised in the design of atypical villa construction and house extensions. Top Properties Of The Fortnight: The first of two villas highlighted is the creation of another regional architect. It is an audacious design with a curved structure, and angular window and stonework features and was designed for largely open plan living. House summary: - House situated near St. Hippolyte du Fort, at the southern edge of the Cevennes. 1 hour to Montpellier and Nimes airports. - 120m² living area and 2450m² of grounds with open countryside views. Possibility for a swimming pool. - 3 bedrooms - Large open plan living room and kitchen with various alcoves, of which a central one with fireplace - The asking price is 364,500€ - The property description can be consulted at the following address: http://www.jamespropertiesfrance.com/viewpropNP.php?id=268 
The second of these two villas is a considerably more routine design than the former, albeit with a slightly irregular roofline that gives character, and with the merits of considerable space (7 bedrooms) and being of very sound construction. Particular features include stone pillars on porch and terrace, a stonework ground floor and an elegant single axis wooden staircase. House summary: - House situated between St. Ambroix and Bessèges in the eastern Cevennes. 1 hour and 20 minutes to Nimes airport. Endless possibilities for river bathing and general tourist activities. - 220m² living area and 1500m² of grounds (extendable at extra cost) - 7 bedrooms - Large living room with wooden staircase feature and large kitchen with mezzanine - The asking price is 293,750 Euros - The property description can be consulted at the following address: http://www.jamespropertiesfrance.com/viewpropNP.php?id=267 
Also new on the market is a villa beside the pretty village of Lussan. A very reasonably priced proposition at 228,000€, the three bedroom house has a surface area of 110m², and stands on grounds of 1200m² with a swimming pool (10x5m approximately). The interior has a lot of warmth given the plentiful usage of wood. Other features include a roofed south facing terrace and electric gate. Shops are close by. Further photographs and details on all of these houses are available on request. Other news: - Summer festivals are very much under way. The 59th Avignon Performance Arts Festival runs till July 27th. There are various jazz festivals also across the region throughout the summer, notably in Sète (15-18 July), Junas (20-23 July), Nimes (4-6 August) and slightly further afield in Marseille (20-24 July), Hyères (18-29 July), Toulon (15-24 July), and Buis-les-Barronies (18-20 August). Next newsletter will: - Take a closer look at some of the towns in the foothills of the southern Cevennes where garrigue progressively turns into mountain - showcase a new property on the market Archived newsletters can now be reviewed on the website. 
+33 626 581 415 njp@jamespropertiesfrance.com www.jamespropertiesfrance.com About James Properties France: Based in Montpellier in the south of France, bringing to you a carefully picked selection of properties within a 70 mile radius - with the occasional more distant exception - that are chosen for their combinations of attributes, most notably: - Setting of outstanding natural beauty - Distinct character or unusual features - Quality of renovation or authenticity - Value for money James Properties France serves primarily an English speaking, though often highly Francophile clientele looking to move or own a second home in the south of France around such places as Uzes, Nimes, Montpellier, Anduze, St. Hippolyte du Fort, the Southern Cevennes, Gignac and Clermont l'Herault and the Hauts Cantons. Besides being a rich source of housing options, James Properties France represents a useful accompaniment during the process of viewing and purchasing a house. |