Homes

French designer duo Carole and Fabrice Gibert of Archidomo blend nature and design to craft Maison Akila

SEP 8, 2020 | By Vedika Nair
View of Maison Akila, designed by Carole and Fabrice Gibert of Archidomo; Photographs by Studio Erick Saillet
A lush landscape surrounds the triple-storeyed abode; Photographs by Studio Erick Saillet
The living room offers a stunning view of the surrounding landscape. Also seen is an Artemide floor lamp and Happy Flexform sleeper; Photographs by Studio Erick Saillet
This outdoor dining space is the perfect spot for summertime meals; Photographs by Studio Erick Saillet
(L-R) Kettal chairs are used in this outdoor setting; Decor details on the coffee table; View of Lake Annecy from the patio; Photographs by Studio Erick Saillet
A view of the lush landscape and Lake Annecy, as seen from the outdoor patio; Photographs by Studio Erick Saillet
The master bedroom houses a LC4 Cassina chair by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand, Christian Fischbacher curtains as well as quirky art and linen; Photographs by Studio Erick Saillet
An Eames plastic rocking chair sits behind the bed with a Bang and Olufsen speaker, while the room is covered in a Ligne Pure carpet; Photographs by Studio Erick Saillet

Embracing the stunning view of Lake Annecy, French designer duo Carole and Fabrice Gibert of Archidomo fashioned this abode with a fusion of lavish and earnest elements. Christened ‘Maison Akila’, this expansive villa is an embodiment of contemporary architecture and designer products from Kettal.

“When it came to the site, it was love at first sight,” says Carole. “We made sure every room in the Maison had a view of the stunning lake, and they all were linked by a passageway.”

The three-storeyed villa is anchored on a slope by a set of cascading volumes. Its design is an invitation to take flight and enter Akila to discover a masonry base in the landscaping garden.

The living room is complete with Helsinki coffee tables from Desalto, Eames House Birds, a Ligne Pure rug and Lifesteel sofa; Photographs by Studio Erick Saillet

The ground level is covered in concrete tiles with an outdoor terrace, while interior balconies on the upper level overlook the lake. A 90-degree wall marks the entrance to the basement leading you to the reception area, where a captivating metal and oak staircase sits. 

The outdoor terrace presents an ideal alfresco dining arrangement; Photographs by Studio Erick Saillet

Further ahead is a cosy living room with an outdoor terrace. “Our favourite spaces have to be the living room, which has an atypical volume, and the kitchen that was to be articulated along a corridor. These are the two large living spaces of the house,” says Fabrice.

In the indoor dining setting, pristine Panton Chairs from Vitra are paired with Cassina’s LC6 table by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand. The space is illuminated with Artemide’s ceiling fixture Mercury; Photographs by Studio Erick Saillet

Like an everlasting link, more spaces in the home open up with incredible views and interior detailing. The kitchen features a long central island in oak and stainless steel with ample concealed storage space. 

Cushions from Maison de Vacances accentuate the Lifesteel sofa in the living room; Photographs by Studio Erick Saillet

A wall sculpture adds vibrancy with colours in the dining room, while a monolith extends to the fireplace. The home is furnished with a number of luxury brands including Kettal, Rimadesio, Cassina, Eames, B&B Italia and Vitra, among others.

Seen in the kitchen are appliances from Boffi, Gaggenau and Novy with Ceramica Fondovalle tiles and a Listone Giordano parquet; Photographs by Studio Erick Saillet

Cloaked in black, grey and white tones, the house’s style achieves a sense of serenity. Largely designed to reflect the surrounding landscape, fluid navigation is seen between living and intimate spaces.

A Vitra Plywood seater is seen outside the bathroom; Photographs by Studio Erick Saillet

The third storey accommodates the homeowner’s office and master bedroom that is oriented with the lake and mountains. “Our architectural philosophy is that we choose the most inspiring and demanding architectural projects—dedicating ourselves to the ‘Domus’, to the home,” concludes Carole.

Scroll for images from Maison Akila by Archidomo…

An Emmanuel Gargano pendant illuminates this space with B&B Italia’s Husk armchairs by Patricia Urquiola and a flat table by Rimadesio sits on a Designers Guild rug; Photographs by Studio Erick Saillet

 

An outdoor seating area features chairs by Kettal; Photographs by Studio Erick Saillet

 

Another view of the living room reveals a fireplace near the Lifesteel seater; Photographs by Studio Erick Saillet

 

The iconic Isamu Noguchi coffee table from Vitra is paired with the ABC armchair from Flexform and Cassina’s LC5 seater by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand; Photographs by Studio Erick Saillet

 

Fantini Rubinetti faucets, Odessa White Capri marble and a JD Staron rug are seen in the bathroom; Photographs by Studio Erick Saillet