In Saudi Arabia, a contemporary and minimalist palace inspired by Islamic architecture. This 6000 square meter principal residence, spread across three levels, presented a new area of exploration for the architect, who embarked on this journey guided by the client’s vision and creative will.

Without a central core, a spiral lacework in stone connects three floors (12 meters high, 6.4 meters in diameter, with 64 steps and 50 tons of brown Combe stone from Aquitaine). Contemporary suspension techniques are combined with an Islamic-inspired handrail carved from solid boxwood from Languedoc by craftsmen from the Île-de-France.

A sunburnt red subtly transitions from lighter to darker shades in the dining room alcove leading to the palace kitchens. Terracotta details are intricately inlaid into the stone floor.

A sparkling mosaic jacuzzi is bordered by a slightly raised, sculpted stone edge. The floor, made of ancient terracotta tiles, is polished and laid without joints to evoke the smoothness of marble. Columns and shutters crafted from noble cedar complement the setting, while ivory-encrusted consoles add a touch of simple delicacy.

A 3.4-meter door sculpted from rare pear wood adorns the polished walls of the palace, its intricate design catching the sunlight. Crafted in France, the sculptors departed from their Louis XV technique to adapt to the fluidity of Islamic forms.

A bed covering elegantly crafted from painted and embroidered dry cloth reflects sunlight around the room, complemented by the colored glass of an 18th-century Turkish chandelier.

Mirrored doors on either side of the bath, carved from a solid stone block, lead to antechambers. The bath, simple and serene, is accented with bronze fixtures and a delicate floor mosaic of small stones.