A Brutalist Marseille Villa Takes Inspiration from Formula 1 and Brazilian Modernism

For this newly built brutalist Marseille villa, Sandrine Sarah Faivre wanted warmth. “My goal was to capture the Brazilian way of life,” says the designer. Specifically, she wanted to honor Brazilian architect and filmmaker Marcio Kogan’s ultra-contemporary designs—think tropical modernism, low-profile frames, and indoor-outdoor relaxation. The villa, with its rough concrete structure and minimalist elements, boasts postcard views of the French city’s namesake bay—not quite São Paolo, but certainly a good jumping-off point. From Brasilia to Marseille Faivre’s utmost goal was changing the villa’s large, austere spaces into welcoming living areas—all while still respecting the building’s original, Brutalist vision. “The concrete creates a patina and rustic charm, which reminds me of Marseille,” says Faivre of the unfinished walls. Indeed, the city is renowned for its innovative concrete structures by the likes of Le Corbusier. Faivre chose a material and color palette with this history in mind: teak, light-colored stone, white paints, and stainless steel complement the Brutalist aesthetic perfectly. Objects d’art In the living room, a vintage motorcycle immediately grabs visitors’ attention. “When the owner showed me this piece, which his father bought the year he was born, I knew I had to make it a focal point,” says Faivre. She found the perfect spot for it—just beneath the teak triangle that surrounds the staircase suspended in a box, “like an element from a John Pawson building.” Opposite the motorcycle, a large, custom fireplace blends into the living room wall. Other curiosities and antiques are scattered throughout the house, many of which were sourced at the Saint-Ouen flea market in Paris. Full throttle Indeed, a need for speed is one of the home’s unifying aesthetic elements. As an amateur race car driver, the villa’s owner wanted elements of his passion peppering the interior. Faivre enlisted the help of Marseille-based set designer Emmanuelle Luciani to pull off this combination of racing iconography and modernist architecture. “I like to work with local creatives,” she says. “Together, we introduced elements of a motorcycle showroom inside this elevated setting.” Note the flames used as decorative touches in the bedrooms, or the Formula 1 racing suit and helmet hanging in the primary suite. Faivre also drew inspiration from midcentury cocktail culture. “The owner wanted a bar, so I designed several versions,” she says. “In the end, I opted for a piece of furniture that could move freely between indoors and outdoors, as is typical of life in Marseille.” The 1960s metal mobile bar stands in the kitchen, which also boasts clean, stainless-steel surfaces. Fun and games A childlike wonder informs many of the rooms too. Spot a small Minecraft-inspired bench in one of the guest rooms, for example. The nautical blue–themed media room takes inspiration from ships and the sea—and near the pool, the outdoor furnishings are similarly bright. Among the concrete, steel, and other severe materials, these rich hues perfectly capture the hedonistic spirit of this Brutalist villa. Or in Faivre’s words: “It’s a home for someone who knows how to have a good time.” This Brutalist Marseille villa was originally published in AD France.