On the first day of summer, only schoolchildren and their parents become acutely aware of the holidays and the upcoming holiday. Hot May has been preparing for the long-awaited season for a long time, so its onset is not much different from all previous days. We want to celebrate summer and bring to your attention the fact that with the start of summer, life turns into a new phase full of late night walks, cold drinks, golden tans and the inevitable ice cream stains on clothes. As always, we want to tell you about the wonders of architecture, but this time all of it will somehow remind you of a carefree summer - about soap bubbles, the love for which does not fade with age, and about the murmuring of a stream from which you want to scoop up water with your hand and wash your face so that your skin can feel the pleasant coolness for at least a few minutes.
A soap bubble that will never burst
The city and the French municipality of the same name, Saint-Chamon, cannot be called very popular among tourists, but for a measured life this is only a plus. Not long ago, investors wishing to acquire a private home in this area began to stumble upon an atypical property. If the majority of the architecture of Saint-Chamond consists of low, uniform buildings, not devoid of French charm, then the latest innovation on the market, with its white walls and rounded shapes, does not fit into the traditional landscape.
The house, designed by Swiss architect Pascal Hausermann, is described by even casual passers-by as looking like a soap bubble. The author was inspired by weightless balls and decided to convey their best qualities in his project. Despite the fact that the building appeared in Saint-Chamond in the 1970s, it still looks quite futuristic and a little fabulous. The area of the house is 110 m², and it comes with a plot of 5,000 m². Large windows let in a huge amount of light, so the feeling of spaciousness is maintained not only outside, but also inside. Thanks to practical zoning, a small-looking house accommodates:
- 3 bedrooms;
- living room with fireplace;
- wine cellar;
- garage
There is a swimming pool on the roof, so you can admire the views of the mountains directly from it. Due to the lack of interested buyers, the starting price of €1.36 million had to be reduced to €1.2 million. The realtor notes that the first applicants for owning a bubble house have already appeared. Out of respect for his clients, he keeps their names secret. One of the potential owners is an art collector from Dubai. He has already shared his plans to turn the unusual building into an art space that can be rented through Airbnb.
Montmartre Artists' Refuge
26 kilometers from Paris, a completely different French flavor begins. The Esson commune has long been popular among artists. They loved to visit the tavern, located in a water mill, and draw pictures of nature. The views from here are still mesmerizing, so it is not surprising that aspiring painters, in gratitude for the opportunity to work on such a masterpiece of nature, repaid the mill owner with their canvases. Now the already beautiful landscapes have become even more interesting thanks to the fact that an equestrian club has appeared in the neighborhood. Now, in addition to the Yerre River and endless fields, thoroughbred horses are visible from the windows.
The mill of the 19th century was a restaurant until recently. The previous owners created a living space for themselves to combine work with home. The total area of the building is 520 m², 230 m² of which is the residential part. The cost of the property (slightly less than €2 million) exceeds the price of the bubble house, but it does so justifiably. For your money you will receive:
- 230 m² – second floor, fully equipped for living;
- 210 m² – first floor, intended for events;
- 40 m² – studio-chalet with sauna and kitchen;
- 60 m² – a house on the other side of the bridge, which can be equipped as a living space;
- 40 m² – a house with a nursery, shower, two bathrooms, technical and storage rooms;
- 100 m² – terrace overlooking the River Yerre.
The new owner can open a restaurant in the mill, rent out the premises for various events, rent out additional extensions, open hotel or abandon commercial activities altogether - there are plenty of options.
Housing haute Couture and for Couture
An exquisite French fashion designer with Italian roots, thanks to which there was always a place of passion in his collections, he even chose real estate to match. Pierre Cardin was the owner of the most expensive house in Europe. Its Palais Bulles or Palace of Soap Bubbles lives up to its name. Many rooms of various rounded shapes are chaotically stuck on top of each other. This makes them look like a mischievous fashion designer blew a bunch of giant soap bubbles off the coast of Cannes and called them home. In truth, the unusual structure is not the merit of Pierre Cardin, but only his acquisition.
Palais Bulles appeared in the town of Theoule-sur-Mer long before the famous designer earned enough money to buy it. In 1979-1984, its construction was led by the Hungarian architect Antti Lavag. The house was built by order of businessman Pierre Bernard. Only in 1992 did Cardin become its owner. Now the Bubble Palace is up for sale again. The exact amount is not disclosed, but it is already known that the object is among the ten most expensive in the world. Smooth spherical shapes are equally smooth inside and outside. This effect was achieved due to the fact that the frame of the building was made of metal, and then covered with concrete and polished. For a fabulous price, the new owner will receive:
- 29 living rooms;
- 10 guest bedrooms;
- 11 bathrooms;
- banquet hall;
- living room with views of the Cannes inlet.
The residence has a beautiful garden, several ponds and a swimming pool. The open hall for 500 spectators has probably more than once become a podium on which Pierre Cardin demonstrated his new collections to close friends even before their official show.