A newly built brutalist villa in Marseille blends raw concrete with the warmth of Brazilian modernism, creating a space that feels both austere and welcoming.
From São Paulo to the Mediterranean
Sandrine Sarah Faivre, the villa’s designer, sought to capture the Brazilian way of life in the home’s design. She found inspiration in Marcio Kogan, the architect behind tropical modernism—characterized by low-slung frames, seamless indoor-outdoor living, and a relaxed, sunlit atmosphere. While Marseille’s climate and culture differ from São Paulo’s, the villa’s postcard views of the bay rework Kogan’s vision with a Mediterranean influence.
Faivre kept the building’s brutalist structure—unfinished concrete walls and minimalist lines—but softened the interior with teak, light stone, and stainless steel. These materials reference Marseille’s own concrete legacy, shaped by figures like Le Corbusier. “The concrete develops a patina and rustic charm, which fits Marseille,” Faivre explained.
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Speed, souvenirs, and a vintage motorcycle
The home belongs to an amateur race car driver who wanted his passion reflected in the design. Faivre worked with Marseille-based set designer Emmanuelle Luciani to integrate racing elements into the modernist framework. A vintage motorcycle, a gift from the owner’s father, serves as a centerpiece in the living room, suspended beneath a teak-clad staircase.
A custom fireplace blends into the wall nearby, while decorative flames appear in the bedrooms. The primary suite displays a Formula 1 racing suit and helmet, and the kitchen’s stainless-steel surfaces resemble a pit crew’s workspace. The owner’s appreciation for midcentury cocktail culture also influenced the design: a mobile 1960s metal bar, designed to move between indoors and out, stands ready for gatherings.
Eclectic details appear throughout the villa. A Minecraft-inspired bench occupies a guest room, and a nautical-themed media room draws its palette from ships and the sea. Outdoor furniture near the pool features bold, playful colors. “It suits someone who enjoys life,” Faivre noted.
The Saint-Ouen flea market in Paris provided many of the antiques scattered across the house. Combined with the racing memorabilia, these pieces create a lived-in, collected atmosphere—far from the sterility often linked to brutalism.
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Faivre’s work on the villa mirrors a growing trend in brutalist architecture. Once seen as cold and imposing, the style is now being reinterpreted with warmth and character. The Marseille home, with its mix of concrete and teak, racing relics and flea-market finds, demonstrates this change.
The design also reflects Marseille’s long history with concrete architecture. The city has served as a testing ground for bold ideas, from Le Corbusier’s Unité d’Habitation to newer projects. Faivre’s villa continues that tradition while incorporating influences from across the globe.
Despite its references to speed and spectacle, the villa’s most compelling quality is its restraint. The unfinished concrete walls show signs of time and craftsmanship. Racing motifs and playful details enhance rather than dominate the space, making it feel personal and comfortable.