outside view of The Maison Bernard's organic architecture-looks like a perfect untouched sculpture.

all images © Yves Gellie, courtesy of Fonds Maison Bernards

The Maison Bernard House in Théoule-sur-Mer, France, was originally designed by two important architects Antti Lovag and Pierre Bernard in 1970s, each one of them a free and nonconformist personality. Antti Lovag is an iconoclast who has developed an original concept of architecture centered on man, his living space and his needs. Pierre Bernard was curious about the world and its innovations. He first invested in the automobile industry and built up a company that became the second-largest automobile distribution group in France.

auter view of The Maison Bernard's residence displaying a strange holes -looks like a cave.

The house originally designed as a family residence, today the house is one of the most successfully completed examples of organic architecture, where Antti Lovag was able to experiment with his most innovative designs for a human habitat. To meet man’s needs, this architecture assembles spherical spaces which adapt to the surrounding area by integrating the natural environment and responding to the aspirations of its inhabitants – going beyond strict rational necessities. However, this iconic and organic architecture masterpiece has been renovated and supervised by an award-winning France architect and academic Odile Decq. 

Odile Decq. image © AFP / Alberto Pizzoli

pink room-closer view to the openings of the structure- outer and interior colors are different.

Odile Decq's colorful, contempoarary and renovating design culminates in the creation of new architecture that makes its mark on the second half of the 20th century. Also,Isabelle Bernard fully committed to the renovation of the house by selecting architect Odile Decq to conduct the work. Together, they both took great care to preserve the house’s identity while continuing the adventure that had motivated Pierre Bernard and Antti Lovag. The artist's residence creates an endowment fund for the Maison Bernard that welcomes an each artist in residence for a maximum six-month stay. The selected artist must create an original work in relation to the house architecture and its natural environment. 

guest room

In addition, the artists receive a scholarship and are housed in the independent living quarters and adjacent workshop created in the 1970s by Antti Lovag for his own use. These accommodations, renovated in the Spring of 2014, provide a space of about 90 square meters overlooking the Mediterranean sea. Artists may also have access to additional space dedicated to the manufacture of their work. The guest artist must complete his or her project by the end of the residency- Click here to apply to be a resident artist.

colorful room

The renovation was supervised by Odile Decq and lasted five years. Odile Decq had first to become acclimated to Antti Lovag’s architecture before beginning to work and she used color to structure her renovation of the house. The concept of "too much is never enough" became the color leitmotif. ''I first began working on the exterior, just to become familiar with the house. I sought to do something joyous, completely in line with the sixties.'' says Odile Decq. Odile Decq describes her discovery of the house and her first impressions. She explains how she first had to become acclimated to Antti Lovag’s architecture before beginning work and how she used color to structure her renovation of the house.

colorful room

''It's a house that was built while being transformed along the way, evolving, and that continues to develop. The concept of too much is never enough became the color leitmotif.'' adds Odile Decq. The challenge is that for this house after their father passed away, Isabelle and Jean Patrice Bernard decided to write a new chapter in the history of the house, ensuring that it remains a place conducive to creativity. The first step was renovation work that reclaimed and modernized the house. Please listen to Isabelle Bernard talking about The Maison Bernard house. 

red room

orange room

orange room

guest room

orange room

pink room

pink room

colorful room

pink room

renovation photo

renovation photo- Odile Decq

renovation photo

> via fonds-maisonbernard.com/en/