Dynamic contrasts

Le Touquet is an old seaside resort on the English Channel, characterized by sand dunes and an architectural style that is both elegant and austere. The building at the heart of this project is no exception to this. The house was built in the early twentieth century in an Anglo-Norman style whose peculiar features seem to have been determined by the weather conditions, such as its distinctive gambrel roof and thick external walls in which the windows are few and small. These features have been carefully preserved in the renovation project designed by the architect Alain Demarquette, who also designed an extension consisting of an adjoining building in a completely contrasting, totally linear style, with see-through walls and a flat roof. The original building is static and squat, while the new unit is light and dynamic, thanks partly to a sort of brise soleil that adds movement to the facade through an interplay of horizontal lines.
The centre of gravity of the new villa is the entrance and imposing staircase, housed in a connecting structure set between the existing building and the new construction, underscoring the balance and complementary nature of the two units. The indoor spaces have an open, airy feel to them, thanks to the light flooding in through the large glass walls, minimal furnishings and carefully studied colours and finishings. The internal flooring features glazed porcelain tiles from the Granitoker line, Metalwood collection, in 30×60 cm format, manufactured by Casalgrande Padana. Porcelain tiles play a key role in the spatial organization of the house, with the use of different colours to underscore the specific functions of the various rooms and areas, i.e. entrance hall, living room, kitchen, patio, bathrooms, changing rooms and utility room. A darker tone (Silicio) was chosen to enhance the staircase, while a shade of white (Platino) makes the living room look more spacious. The slightly textured wood effect surface and special metallized finish of the tiles imperceptibly capture the light, adding the final touch to the elegant harmony of the interiors.