A blank slate of a loft
61 m²
Paris, France
95 000 €
Cosy minimalism
Loft
PS Studio
For Sloft+ members only
Built at the beginning of the 20th century, and located a stone's throw from the Canal de l'Ourcq this building has lived many lives: it was originally a brewery before undergoing two successive extensions. When HMONP architect and founder of PS Studio Pierre Savajol spotted the property while rifling through internet classifieds, he immediately fell in love with it. And it was his first real estate investment: “It was my one and only visit,” he laughs.
The considerable ceiling height (3.20 meters) and rectangular floor plan captivated him. Four large windows overlooking the garden and its bamboo oasis convinced him that this was a very special place:
"On the second floor of a building, this type of view, coupled with a total absence of facing buildings, is extremely rare in Paris. I saw in this place, which had become very dilapidated through incongruous transformations, as an incredible playground. It was ripe for a complete overhaul." The
two apartments that once made up the property have been decompartmentalized to take full advantage of the south-western exposure. Utility rooms were placed at the ends of the floor plan, while the entrance was designed as a mezzanine. In a bold choice, the former partition wall was lowered to create three columns.
"The idea was to create a framing effect on the kitchen from the living room, creating a multiplicity of perspectives and false symmetries.
The bedroom was laid out along their axis, and, at the opposite end, an office area completes the free-flowing space:
“The apartment is very 'grounded', thanks to low furniture, so as to free up space, in a cathedral-like spirit”, emphasizes its owner, who lives here with his partner. The verticality is further emphasized by the guest bedroom, a belfry perched above the office.
“The rethinking of the space, both in terms of floor plan and height, along with the use of elementary materials, illustrate how interior architecture can serve both form and function." Underneath the kitchen's playful, hands-off appearance, there's a clever “trick”: a hidden door, concealed behind a wheeled cabinet that allows the couple's (many) guests direct access to the bathroom, while the hosts enjoy a privileged entrance from their own room, like in a hotel suite. Pierre confirms that this choice was motivated by another essential need in addition to welcoming guests:
"I wanted a long, interrupted kitchen, which a 'classic' opening in the wall wouldn't have allowed. This camouflaged passageway was a real gamble... and it worked out perfectly in the end!" With its optimized layout, eye-catching doors and interior portholes, this polymorphous space is permeated by another concept, almost like a philosophy:
"I wanted to create a timeless space, trend-proof, a blank canvas where the essential would be worked into a work of art. The few pieces of furniture - seats, table, bed - meet basic needs. The rest of the furniture (storage, cupboards, kitchen...) is integrated: it “belongs” to the apartment rather than to its owners." . A stone's throw from the hustle and bustle of the Parc de la Villette and the Petite Ceinture,
a showcase for the unbearable lightness of being.
