A Subtle Renewal in the Heart of Paris’s 11th Arrondissement
Tucked away in the vibrant 11th arrondissement of Paris, this apartment hadn’t seen a renovation since the 1980s. The recent transformation breathes new life into the space, restoring coherence and calm through a thoughtful reworking of volumes, functions, and materials — all guided by a restrained and sustainable approach.
The original floor plan, clear and well-balanced, was largely preserved. Around a central entrance unfold the living areas, while the bedrooms and bathroom sit quietly at the rear of the apartment. This simple yet efficient layout was refined through careful work on transitions, thresholds, and the rhythm of daily use.
The kitchen presented the project’s main challenge. Hemmed in between the stairwell and the technical walls of the master bedroom, it demanded precision. Together with the clients, the design team chose to keep its original location while maximizing every inch. A continuous line of cabinetry — complete with a built-in refrigerator — now extends into the entrance corridor, freeing up valuable space within the kitchen itself.
Sliding pocket doors allow the spaces to open or close according to need: the kitchen can be discreetly tucked away, and the sleeping quarters separated from the living area. This subtle mechanism offers flexibility and intimacy without disturbing the overall sense of volume.
Material choices were guided by a pursuit of unity and timelessness. The bathrooms are clad floor-to-ceiling in matte mineral mosaic tiles, giving the spaces a tactile sobriety and serene presence. Stainless steel punctuates the design — in the kitchen, the fixtures, and the handles — creating a quiet, rigorous thread that ties the apartment together with understated elegance. Text description by the architects.
