Luxury and Landscape: Nicolas Gessat's Architectural Story
Nestled along Marigot Bay in St Barts, Villa Linda - Spanish for 'beautiful' - emerges as a masterpiece of contemporary coastal architecture. Designed by Nicolas Gessat in collaboration with Horizon SBH and French Indies Design, this five-bedroom waterfront villa seamlessly integrates into its natural surroundings. With its signature pergola, sustainable features, and private beach access, Villa Linda exemplifies luxury living in harmony with nature.
The Villa Linda project represents a new collaboration with a Chilean client who has once again placed their trust in our team. I had the pleasure of working alongside Côme Leduc from Horizon SBH for project management and Karine Brunel from French Indies Design for the interior design.
The Story Behind the Name
From the start, the villa's name, Linda, was an obvious choice, as it means "beautiful" in Spanish. This name perfectly reflects the essence of the house. The trust placed in me by the client allowed for creative freedom while adhering to the project requirements: "to design a five-bedroom waterfront villa with generous outdoor spaces, a gym, and a captivating garden."
A Canvas Shaped by Nature
The gently sloping plot descends to a small private beach along Marigot Bay, providing a unique setting for this project. Integrating the construction into this soft incline, scattered with exposed rocks and magnificent Gaïac and Flamboyant trees, required a sensitive and thoughtful approach. Respecting the site and optimizing its natural assets guided every stage of the design process.
The Western Sun Challenge
The villa's architecture stands out for its response to the west-facing exposure, a choice that brings both advantages and challenges, particularly the low-angled sunlight in the late afternoon. This is why I designed a vast pergola, the project's true signature, which shields the living spaces while creating inviting shaded areas.
Natural Elegance
Close to the waterfront, the living areas, terraces, pool, and primary bedroom offer breathtaking views of the bay. The facades are clad in sand-colored stone, while travertine and wood flooring add a warm touch. The aluminum joinery, also in a sand tone, blends seamlessly with the maritime setting, while exotic wood shutters enhance the facade and ensure privacy.
Incorporating Sustainable Design
Higher up, two bungalows house identical bedrooms and bathrooms, constructed with prefabricated wooden frames to ensure optimal insulation and a faster assembly process. This approach also helped reduce on-site waste.
Eco-Friendly Architecture
The access road at the top of the property offers a view over the wooden rooftops, the lush garden, and Marigot Bay. Two large metal pergolas shelter parking areas equipped with solar panels, supplying the villa with sustainable energy.
Luxury Serving the Landscape
Since the relationship with water from the living spaces is truly spectacular, it was essential for me to incorporate this into the villa's architecture. The proximity to the sea allows residents to admire marine life in its silent movement from the expansive balcony. Beyond protecting the terrace from the sun, the pergola also shields from surrounding views, allowing focus on what truly matters: the serenity of Villa Linda's natural surroundings.
Further information on Nicolas Gessat's architectural firm can be found on his website: https://www.nga-stbarts.com.
