Architect-Designed House

Perched atop a hill, in the heart of the wooded landscapes of Auvergne, La Grange Rouge is a retirement home nestled among the ancient volcanoes of the Puy de Dôme. A former barn belonging to a family that has lived in the neighbouring mountain villages for over 400 years, it has been carefully transformed into a place that balances conviviality and seclusion—designed as much for shared moments as for solitude. Conceived as a stage open to the landscape, the house makes nature its central spectacle. Each day unfolds like a stage set, culminating at sunset when the sky blazes over the valley to the west. The structure retains its original metal framework, painted a deep red reminiscent of cast iron. This hue, inspired by the warm tones of twilight, permeates the entire space and diffuses a vibrant warmth into the heart of the surrounding intense green. Beneath its expansive roof, the house shelters three bedrooms, each conceived as a small, independent house. These intimate spaces offer a personal retreat, oriented to frame the view of the valley from the bed. Between them, a common area unfolds like a village square, opening fully onto the horizon. The kitchen block forms a fourth volume, structuring the whole around shared living. The dining table stretches towards the landscape, inviting meals suspended in mid-air, gazing at the horizon. Among the unique features, an outdoor bathtub, sheltered under the overhanging roof, allows for a moment of relaxation in direct connection with nature—in the morning sun or in the crisp winter air. The grounds surrounding the house have been left in their natural state, where meadows reclaim their freedom. Small groups of furniture are arranged there like observation points, offering different perspectives on the Clermont-Ferrand valley. The contrast between the vibrant red of the house and the deep green of the landscape enhances the sense of presence. La Grange Rouge thus appears as a unique refuge, where every detail celebrates the raw beauty of the land and its heritage. A place to slow down, contemplate, and reconnect with the depth of the Auvergne landscape.