The renovated courtyard of a traditional bourguignonne house features our Girasol 30 flooring
Montjeu Architectures studio has used one of our designs for a renovated courtyard in Autun, Burgundy.
“Who wouldn’t want to live in this stately home in the French Burgundy region?” one wonders upon seeing the photos of this dreamy project. We may not know who lives there, but we do know that the renovation was signed by Montjeu Architectures, who chose our exclusive Girasol 30 design for the refurbished courtyard. The result is a stunning space where the flooring becomes the true protagonist—without being garish or out of place.
As the designers explain on their website, part of their mission as professionals is to meet the expressed needs of their clients, while also anticipating those that have not yet arisen—or even been identified—but are bound to surface. As such, the renovation project, which includes the kitchen and the courtyard, prioritizes open, comfortable spaces that can support a family’s life over the decades.
The courtyard, with direct access from the kitchen, is bordered on the north side by a section of the old city wall. The house façade runs along the entire eastern edge, while across from it a railing secures the ledge, leaving space in the center for a small metal staircase that descends into the garden. At the southern end, a small platform—also paved with our rectangular bricks—connects the courtyard to another garden on the same level, as well as to a stone staircase, likely dating back to the original construction, that provides access to other outdoor levels.
Terracotta in open-air spaces like a renovated courtyard
Sometimes a material captures our imagination, but upon research, we discover its characteristics limit its potential applications. When renovating a courtyard, we want materials that are not only sustainable and durable but also capable of withstanding the stress they will naturally face.
We must consider humidity conditions, temperature, and sun exposure. In the region where this courtyard is located, winter temperatures frequently fall below freezing. During the summer, average highs are around 20ºC (68ºF), but with the heatwaves currently sweeping across Europe (and expected to increase in intensity and frequency), recent years have seen temperatures regularly exceed 30ºC (86ºF). In addition to these drastic seasonal changes, the surface is also exposed to rain, hail, thunderstorms, and other weather conditions.
Terracotta has been used for outdoor spaces for centuries, primarily because of its remarkable ability to endure all these elements while maintaining its integrity. Considering the demands placed on outdoor surfaces, terracotta flooring requires only minimal maintenance.
A Custom Design
For this renovated courtyard, Montjeu Architectures chose our Girasol 30 design, but we adapted it to be laid in concentric circles, which imbue the space with a unique identity. The rings alternate between the Blanco Antiguo and Slate color tones.
Photos by Amandine Giloux
