A Bygone Era Reimagined

Objective & Impact:

Built between 1864 and 1869 near Périgueux, Château Magne is a Second Empire estate commissioned by Alfred Magne and later designated a Historic Monument. Adapted in the early 2000s into luxury residences, the château offered a rare opportunity to inhabit a preserved setting defined by Renaissance-influenced architecture, grand proportions, and a layered cultural landscape.

After travels through France, Jodi and Chris sought a future vacation and retirement home that would deepen their connection to the country’s culture and architecture. They found that opportunity within Château Magne, where each apartment had once been a single historic room. Their goal was to preserve the extraordinary character of the space while adapting it for contemporary daily life.

They selected the Grand Salon - the château’s centerpiece - distinguished by a monumental ceiling fresco and ornate stone fireplace. A compact kitchen and bathroom core were discreetly inserted within the volume, and a carefully shaped loft follows the fresco’s geometry to create a two-bedroom residence. The result is a home that supports modern living while remaining fully in dialogue with its historic envelope.

• Historic Character Preserved by centering the design around the fresco, original proportions, and stone fireplace.
• Modern Living Introduced Discreetly through a compact service core that supports function without competing visually.
• Loft Geometry Resolved to follow the fresco and maintain the room’s hierarchy while adding sleeping space.
• Infrastructure Upgraded with improved plumbing, filtration, and efficient systems suited to long-term use.
• Kitchen Performance Elevated through a full rebuild with eco-conscious cabinetry and energy-efficient appliances.
• Solar Heat Gain Managed using custom UV-lined drapery that protects interiors without altering the façade.
• Interiors Sourced Authentically from local brocantes, reinforcing regional character and scale.

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