What could a château in France, UFO sightings, glamping (that’s glamorous camping), and one of the world’s top architectural design schools possibly have in common?
Rather interestingly, it’s Karma Group Founder and Chairman, John Spence.
Renowned architects, Marcelo Spina and Georgina Huljich, both lecturers at UCLA and the University of Pennsylvania, were recently invited by Spence, who also lectures at Yale as the Edward P. Bass Distinguished Visiting Architecture Fellow, to explore Karma Group’s new Carcassonne address, Château de Samary. The sprawling 19th Century property, located a stone’s throw from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Carcassonne, France, represents the latest acquisition in Karma’s continuing plans to expand its luxury Karma Estates brand.
So enchanted were Spina and Huljich with the opportunity that they managed to persuade the Dean of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Architecture to offer select students a trip to France to study the heritage-listed structure as part of their senior work.
The School, winner of Arch Out Loud’s Hollywood Competition to design a residence which will sit below the famed Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, sent 14 students at the end of September to explore the site and reimagine how the property could be made anew.
During their visit, Karma’s Chairman treated the students to a private tour of a local vineyard, Château de Coux et Sauzens, along with rustic French lunch afterwards.
In the true investigative spirit of academia, the students discovered that the region around Carcassonne plays host to an unusually high number of UFO sightings. According to Huljich, the unanticipated finding has spurred some students to incorporate UFO spotting facilities into their proposed designs.
Meeting the students on location, Spence praised the team’s inventive approach. “I’m confident that the standard of work and inspirational designs that will come from this exercise will be superb, I can’t wait to see some of the suggestions!”
The new look Château de Samary will open its doors in 2019. Stay tuned, earthlings.
Want to find out more information on Karma Estates? Visit our other French property, Le Preverger, here.
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