Emphasizing Light and Views

The House for 2 Architects is a renovated 19th-century apartment located in front of the Luxembourg Garden in Paris’s Latin Quarter. Positioned on the 5th floor, the apartment offers impressive views that the renovation aimed to highlight. In a densely built city like Paris, enhancing natural light was a key objective.

Transforming the Layout

Originally, the apartment had a very partitioned layout with small, mono-oriented rooms. To create a more open space with double exposure from east to west, the design involved removing a 50cm wide bearing wall. This structural change allows sunlight to flow through the apartment from morning to evening. The metal beam installed to support the structure was painted pale green as a nod to the apartment’s history.

Designing for a Family

The renovated apartment is designed for a family of four, including two young children who share a bedroom with bunk beds and their own bathroom. The apartment is divided into three main sections: the central living space (comprising the kitchen, dining room, living room, and home office), the parents’ bedroom suite, and the children’s bedroom suite, which are positioned on opposite sides of the apartment.

Integration of Functional Elements

A continuous walnut wood element runs from east to west, separating the day and night areas. This feature conceals the laundry, storage spaces, a bookcase, and a home cinema. In the main living area, a home office is equipped with a circular felt curtain that can close off the space to create a third bedroom when needed. The felt curtain also helps with noise isolation, making the space versatile enough to host large gatherings when opened.

Material Choices

The renovation prioritized materials that enhance air quality and create a warm atmosphere. Natural lime was used to cover the walls for its air quality benefits and insulating properties. The kitchen features vibrated stainless steel to reduce fingerprints and ensure durability, with a travertine stone island that complements the light parquet flooring. Walnut wood and stainless steel are incorporated into the bookcase and master bedroom to add warmth.

Creating a Playful Environment

In the children’s bedroom, plywood was chosen to construct the bunk beds, closets, toy storage, and bookcases. This material selection creates a playful and youthful environment for the children, ensuring the space is both functional and inviting.