A unique place to stay in the Dordogne
Iconic architecture
iconic
Maison Borrèze was conceived as a global, timeless work of art. Architecture and design were entrusted to theFMAU agency, renowned for the singularity of its residential projects, and its attraction for « geographical pieces ». Each FMAU project is unique and rooted in a specific geography.
The history of the historic building is the starting point for the project. Home to a single family throughout the 20th century, the heavy stone walls concealed a maze of tangled rooms, ideal for endless games of hide-and-seek. The project, which had to gut the entire building to meet the most stringent safety standards, was designed to recapture the soul of Maison Borrèze’s new family.
The lower courtyard, known as the maple courtyard, is the epicenter of the building. It wraps under the protective shade of the Acer Negundo tree, like a small village square. Its square proportions make it familiar. Its appearance has been preserved so that it can be restored to its original state.
In the middle of the estate, 2 buildings with roofs as sharp as arrows emerge from the slope. They are separated by an interior street that cuts through the whole to let in light from all sides. These two buildings are part of a strong commitment to decarbonization, using wood for the framework and cladding, straw for the insulation, and stone for the facade and flooring. At the heart of the complex, the 15-metre swimming pool is fed by rainwater harvested and filtered from the 700 m² of roof space and stored in a hidden reservoir.
Inside, the spaces pay discreet homage to art deco architecture, with furniture in straightforward geometric shapes, the use of light oak veneer, and a carefully chosen color palette. Borrèze home furnishings have been entirely designed and conceived to last, to be repaired and to stand the test of time. At a time of ephemerality, Maison Borrèze brings a notion of permanence, so that several generations of guests can build their own family history in this place.
At the top of the estate, a final building opens onto the Place Haute, through which guests arrive and discover Maison Borrèze. This square is reminiscent of a bastide town square in the Lot region, bordered by pointed arches and a series of loggias. Located on the first floor, the suites stretch over 12 meters to catch the sun’s rays from morning to night, offering a new spatial experience between courtyard and garden.
