With decades of experience designing houses along Cape Town’s Atlantic seaboard, the SAOTA Architecture & Design team brought unique creative inspiration to their latest project in Saint Tropez, France, the Le Pine Residence.

Described as a contemporary interpretation of traditional Mediterranean Riviera architecture, the home features spaces that are a refreshing combination of indoor‐outdoor lifestyle as the long, narrow site backs into a forest of pine trees to the south.

‘When we first went onto the site, we found it lovely that you could look up into the pine forest and experience those amazing volumes under the canopies of the pines. That became an important cue when we developed the design.’ said SAOTA Director Stefan Antoni.

Lead architect on the project, SAOTA Director Phillippe Fouché added, ‘Our first objective was to try to maximise the perception of space. We did that by creating generous outdoor covered spaces, which make it feel as if the interiors spill outwards and extend to the front of the site.’.

The interior design was inspired by gallery‐type space, a space that includes clear open areas and invites light in, particularly from above. This was achieved by tactfully placed clerestory windows and additional frameless windows which capture views the pine forest, courtyards and the blue and vast swimming pool. All of this creating the indoor‐outdoor lifestyle at the Le Pine Residence.