78 Blvd Richard Lenoir, Paris, Fr.
for
role
status
year
GSA
Principal
Design
2018
The clients, an economics professor and a professor of comparative literature along with their 11-year-old son, could not believe their luck when they found, in their beloved 11 Arron., this classic Haussmannien apartment situated on the top floor with unobstructed views westerly across Paris.
Unfortunately, along with all the classic ambiance and virtues it also bore many of the common problems and challenges posed by these apartments; insufficient storage, small-remotely located galley-type kitchen, awkward bathrooms configurations and only two bedrooms when they needed three should they wish to resell.
The proposed plan is conceived of two parts; the west, which retains its original character other than for the strategic demolition of several walls to join the living, dining and foyer areas, and; the east consisting of the repositioned kitchen, bathroom, WC and office/3rd bedroom. Interfacing between them and framing the living space is a continuous serpentine millwork library and storage wall running the entire length of the apartment. The new wall, serving as a programmatic backdrop for living, provides the necessary storage while acting as a filter and conduit for a second source of natural light originating from the east court yards. The intention was to augment, by contrast, the dynamic natural light provided the extraordinary exposures and views at the west with a more subdued diffuse natural light from with east courts. Integrating the entry, the wall serves as a threshold, interfacing between the principal living spaces at the west and the newly configured service spaces; kitchen; toilets; and office to the east.
