Something New in Barbizon! Between Architecture and Nature, the “La Lisière” Project Takes Shape and Moves Forward

Developed by Ma and designed by the famous architectural practice Ciguë, La Lisière is part of a contemporary reflection on new forms of housing. Located in the village of Barbizon, on the edge of the Fontainebleau forest, the project unfolds in an exceptional setting shaped by the territory’s rich landscape and artistic heritage.

Its distinctiveness lies in combining individual homes with a collective dynamic, conceived on a human scale. Comprising seven timber houses set within a 2.5-hectare wooded estate, the project seeks a subtle balance between the preservation of domestic privacy and openness to the neighborhood. Each household enjoys a private garden while sharing communal spaces and collective services that foster conviviality.

Initiated in 2021 and delivered in 2025, the project marks a significant milestone in the development of sustainable and desirable housing, blurring the boundaries between nature, collective life, and private life.

After the successful sale of all seven units off-plan (VEFA), our agency continues its collaboration with partners Ma and Ciguë.

The next phase of the program involves Ma and Ciguë rehabilitating a eclectic 1920s villa, positioned at the front of the site, overlooking the forest path and the Fontainebleau forest. This building, emblematic of the bourgeois holiday homes traditionally built near the forest, will be transformed into four family apartments – “Villas Mulot, Hérisson, Campagnol, and Lérot” – each designed to function as an individual house in its own right.

Each residence will retain the villa’s defining qualities: generous ceiling heights, luminous rooms, fireplaces, double living areas, a shared garden, expansive private terraces, and, above all, a unique connection to the Fontainebleau forest. Faithful to the character of the site, the project emphasizes meticulous architectural detailing and the use of high-quality, enduring materials.