Desert Gem

Look closely at the walls of Villa A&N, a monolithic structure that rises from the earth on the way to Ouarzazate, just 15km from Marrakech and it soon becomes clear that despite the property’s contemporary appearance, the material used to fabricate its thick walls is anything but. A world away too, from the city’s traditional riads with their intricate Zelige tiles and ornate carved plaster, this mammoth yet minimalist home is constructed entirely from sun-dried bricks formed simply from straw, limestone plaster and the very same reddish mud from which its foundations are dug. 

The imposing build is the work of Karl Fournier and Olivier Marty, otherwise known as Studio KO, whose global projects encompass retail concepts for Balmain and Aesop, restaurants including Folie, a glamorous eatery on London’s Golden Square and resorts and hotels, the most notable of which is perhaps André Balazs’s Chiltern Firehouse. Add to that the 4,000-square-metre Musée Yves Saint Laurent in Marrakech, a commission from Saint Laurent’s longtime partner, the late Pierre Bergé, and their ever-burgeoning portfolio is impressive to say the least.

Having met in the late 1990s while studying at the influential École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, they opened their first office in the French capital in the year 2000, followed swiftly by a second hub in Marrakech in 2001 – originally launched to oversee a house for a member of the Hermès family. “We loved Morocco from our first visit as students and met people there who changed our lives, hence why we have a strong relationship with the country,” explains Fournier. But despite their catalogue of illustrious achievements, the pair maintain they are equally proud of their many residential projects, the first of which was Villa A&N. “We had just finished our studies and were full of theories. For us it felt natural to build a house with local materials using the local’s knowledge – so that is what we did. We had no idea at all how modern it was and, in a way, how radical it was. But at that time, we were pioneers.” 

Constructed as a holiday home for a French family, the house centres around three soaring living spaces that flow together through lofty doorways. These contrast dramatically with the more intimate dimensions of the dining room and kitchen that lead off the central core. Alongside black concrete floors, internal walls are rubbed with vegetable oil to create a soft, patinated sheen, while sumptuous leather seating, sheepskins and traditional Beni Ouarain rugs sit next to rustic objets trouvés and contemporary light fittings. On the first floor, expansive views of the Atlas Mountains are visible from both a vast window in the open plan primary suite and through narrow apertures designed specifically to capture glimpses of the landscape or rays of light at a particular hour of the day. Beyond the main property, an additional building and two pavilions, all conceived in the same aesthetic accommodate children and extra guests. “Above all, we want to create spaces where people feel comfortable and at ease, where you can rest, read or chat,” says Fournier. “It was designed as a family house and that’s really where its strength lies.”

This undeniable warmth is just one of the reasons why Villa A&N is now on the roster of exceptional properties available to rent via Le Collectionist, a luxury holiday rental and concierge service that has over the last decade expanded into more than 30 destinations in Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. Founded in 2014 by by Max Aniort, Olivier Cahane and Eliott Cohen-Skalli, the aim is to offer international clients the most beautiful and extraordinary places to stay, as well as bespoke concierge services and tailored experiences specific to each destination. 

“We have incredibly rigorous criteria to ensure that we select only the very best houses in terms of quality and personality,” explains Eugenia Montresor, press officer at Le Collectionist. “The architecture of Villa A&N transcends fashion and time, while its spaciousness means it is ideal for groups and families. Crucially though, there are also places to carve out moments for oneself.” 

Also key to the villa’s charm is the fact that although it sits amid 6 hectares of meticulously landscaped gardens that include olive trees, manicured lawns and fragrant herbs as well as a sparkling infinity pool, spa and hammam, its proximity to Marrakech means the opportunity for guests to explore the vibrant city is also huge draw. “The territory always becomes part of our client’s experiences,” says Montresor. “This really is a place to enjoy Morocco at its most authentic, as well as escape from routine and to be immersed in nature.”