Jardin de Villars
Provence, France~Competition Entry

A Study in Provence...
With the increasingly intricate and complex demands of the modern, interconnected world, meaningful opportunities for regeneration and respite become both rare, and deeply necessary. The proposed property aims to fulfill this collective need for sanctuary, while honoring and celebrating the natural terrain, endemic and cultivated vegetation, and fertile history of this intoxicatingly beautiful landscape.
The many buildings and features of the property are all reigned about bound by a hard-packed decomposed granite path, inviting all to explore and savor the verdant and redolent grounds, happening upon intermittent curiosities, sculptures of various shapes and sizes resembling something between objets trouvés and modern ruins along the way.

                  

Guests, visitors and golfers alike are welcomed into the property’s main restaurant space through an over-path archway that supports the kitchen, a cozy cocktail bar, and the formal seed-to-table dining room. Guests are enticed by glimpses of courtyard spaces and trees that seem to bloom from within the dining rooms, and by the promise of stellar views made by the dining rooms’ choice location, arguably the finest on the property. On the ground level, country club dining with open terrace, outdoor seating, and full bar offer 9th hole, spa, poolside, and guest take-away fare, using the same farm-fresh and highest quality ingredients as the dining room above, in a more casual environment.

The Wellness Center entrance lobby is serene and light. Whether checking in, inquiring about, or scheduling a wellness therapy appointment, or registering for a locker with intent to use the pool, whirlpool, sauna and/or steam facilities, guests are greeted. Separating the two spa facilities, and enterable from either the mens’ or womens’ side is a spine of four sultry treatment rooms. The two spa facilities end by opening up to a common sitting space and to the indoor pool facility.

Outdoor Pool

Nestled in an enclosure of cyprus trees, the outdoor natural pool and sunbathing glade feel at once wild and composed, tranquil and revitalizing. After the sports center, this is the next leisure space guests will encounter on their brief journey from the guest parking lot to the Welcome Pavilion, and will certainly serve as an enticement for the myriad guest experiences this village beholds.

Those with an industrious, social or contemplative agenda can find refuge and endless inspiration in one of the two multipurpose rooms on the property, sequentially located along the lower path, nestled between the wellness center and the restaurant. Each conference/meditation/exhibition room offers a different layout, while both boasting spectacular views, a reflective ambiance, and an open interior, ripe for a multitude of functions. For meetings, retreats and special events, the convenient location of the kitchen next door makes catering and group dining an enticing option. Outdoor Pool

Guests arrive at a short distance, and watch as the span of the enticing resort births a path to welcome them into the registration lobby. Energies of a storied past and a fecund future transport guests as they settle in with the brilliant foliage and rusticated sculptures that line the pathway to their private villa. 

Upon entry through an intimate terrace, guests find their accommodations restful, and their privileged views rewarding. Each villa encourages guests to unwind in and around their private courtyard. The outdoor living room draws in the scenery and sunsets, and cosets guests around a tree, a fire, or an inspired conversation with fellow travelers. The courtyard space serves as the heart, central gathering place, and entrance to the suite and simple room. Too, the courtyard frames and presents, to guests viewing through either the main living room of the suite or the sitting space of the simple room, views of the resort landscape, golf course, distant rolling hills, and ever-changing skies. Guests feel welcome to enjoy the courtyard communally, in private sequence, or from the comfort of their interior lounge furniture.



Villa interiors include a large suite, with living room, bar-kitchenette, and a master suite, and a separate but connected simple studio, with sitting area, closet, private bed, and full bathroom.

The suite opens to a plush living room, breakfast bar and discrete kitchenette. The space is intimate, but large enough for two adults to connect or engage separate activities, a family of four to play games, or a small cocktail party. Beyond the bar area, accordion doors give way to the master suite. The master bed floats in light created by skylights and a grand bedroom window.

Beneath the grand window are stepped, built-in drawers, wherein guests can store belongings, and whereon guests can lounge and enjoy the view from beyond the open accordion doors clear through to the living room views beyond. both villa bathrooms include a private toilet, sink and vanity, open shower and nature-adorned bathtub.

The studio bed faces a grand window and is bound by a tall, protective headboard that shelters the bed from the openness of the rest of the room. The space is large enough for two to enjoy a book, a conversation, or a sunrise or sunset while gazing through louvered windows to the views beyond.

From all points of the villa, views and natural light are prominent, while a sense of privacy is kept intact by the lush vegetation and natural slope changes in the environment.

Bedroom/Suite