It’s no secret that Brad Pitt is enamored with architecture and interior design. The Oscar-winning actor has launched a furniture collection with Frank Pollaro, narrated a documentary about the restoration of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple, and built homes for Hurricane Katrina victims through his Make It Right Foundation.
Pitt’s latest project is the thoughtful restoration of a recording studio at Château Miraval, the South of France winery he bought in 2012 with his then-wife Angelina Jolie. (Last October, on the heels of the couple’s divorce, Jolie sold her 50% stake to a subsidiary of the Stoli Group.) Château Miraval is where Pitt’s wine brand—anchored by its famous Côtes de Provence Rosé that comes in a voluptuous bottle—is made.
In 1977, long before Pitt got involved, the studio was built by former winery owner Jacques Loussier—himself no stranger to the music world through his pianist and composing career. Some of the world’s top musicians have recorded there, including Pink Floyd (the band hosted sessions for The Wall album), The Cure, Sting, AC/DC, and Sade.
Miraval Studios expects to unveil its new look in the summer of 2022. The revamp is a partnership between Pitt and Emmy-winning French producer Damien Quintard (who has worked with artists like Arca, Parcels, Teodor Currentzis, and Brian Eno). Pitt and Quintard met in Paris, hit it off, and were faced with their first major decision: Use the existing studio or start from scratch?
Pitt and Quintard.
Photo: Hélène HadjiyianniIt was the former that coaxed them along, particularly after discovering much of the existing equipment was still in working order. The design came next. “I was stunned by the simplicity of [Château Miraval]. This place is all about giving back to nature and honoring the curves of the domain,” Quintard tells AD, noting that the outdoor landscape and natural light will be major factors in the design of the studio. “When you enter this sanctuary of…