MAU Townhouse
Two adjacent Parisian houses, separated by a neglected garden, are unified through a single architectural obsession — the arch — recurring at every scale from structural opening to ceramic relief.
The project begins with a radical act: the demolition of a misaligned veranda and the complete restructuring of the space between the two houses. What replaces it is a layered promenade — a summer garden at the centre, flanked by the two renovated volumes, and enclosed at the rear by a winter gallery under zenithal light. The arch is the single motif that orchestrates the entire ensemble — appearing in structural form, in furniture, in metalwork, in tilework — a total design system drawn from the great iron arches of the nearby Eiffel Tower. The street facade, a classified Parisian landmark, is left entirely intact. The transformation is wholly interior — invisible from the street, revealed only once you pass through.
architecture
interior
- TIMELINE: 2022-2024
- STATUS: Completed
- LOCATION: Paris, France
- CATEGORY: Residential | Renovation
- SIZE: 486m2
- CLIENT: Private
- PHOTOGRAPHY: Nicolas Schimp
THE REAR FAÇADES OF THE BACK HOUSE WAS RADICALLY OPENED BY TWO LARGE WALNUT-CLAD ARCHES, DISSOLVING THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN INTERIOR AND GARDEN. GLAZED IN WINTER, FULLY OPEN IN SUMMER, THEY FRAME THE COURTYARD AS A THEATRICAL THRESHOLD BETWEEN INSIDE AND OUTSIDE.
THE WINTER GALLERY IS A COVERED PASSAGE OF PLASTERED ARCHES LIT FROM ABOVE BY A CONTINUOUS ZENITHAL OPENING. LIGHT AND SHADOW STRUCTURE THE SEQUENCE, DRAWING THE EYE THROUGH THE FULL DEPTH OF THE PROJECT.
From the entrance, the eye travels through a succession of arches toward the rear of the house. The coloured glass sculptures on the far wall act as a destination — a chromatic full stop at the end of the promenade.
The summer garden is the central pivot of the composition. Dense tropical plantings surround an intimate outdoor room, viewed through arched glazed openings on all sides — a secret green world at the heart of the Parisian residence.
THE FIREPLACE IS AN ART OBJECT. ENTIRELY HAND-CRAFTED IN CUSTOM CERAMIC, ITS IRIDESCENT GLAZED TILES SHIFT FROM DEEP FOREST GREEN TO COPPER AND AUBERGINE — A LARGE-SCALE RELIEF COMPOSITION THAT COMMANDS THE ROOM LIKE A PAINTING.
AT THE HEART OF THE PROJECT, TWO SWEEPING WALNUT ARCHES REPLACE WHAT WAS A CLOSED FACADE, FLOODING THE DOUBLE-HEIGHT LIVING ROOM WITH GARDEN LIGHT.
The arch motif is total. It reappears in the brass staircase railing with its repeated arch silhouettes, in the frosted glass and brass partition between living and dining, in the hand-drawn relief patterns of the kitchen’s custom ceramic tile backsplash — and most powerfully in the monumental custom fireplace that anchors the main living room.
THE INTERIOR PALETTE IS WARM AND DELIBERATE: HERRINGBONE WALNUT FLOORS THROUGHOUT, DEEP TERRACOTTA LACQUERED CABINETRY IN THE KITCHEN, CREAM PLASTER WALLS, AND BRASS IN EVERY FIXTURE AND FITTING.
A cylindrical lacquered column in the kitchen conceals a fully fitted bar. The existing staircase is reframed by a new curved landing handrail in walnut, its arc echoing the arch language of the project throughout.
THE STUDY IS ENVISIONED AS A SMALL PARISIAN JEWEL. THE ROOM LOOKS OUT ONTO A PRIVATE INTERNAL COURTYARD THROUGH A BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED, FRENCH-STYLE STEEL-FRAMED GLASS WALL (LA VETRATA).
The layout is smartly split into a desk zone and a lounge area featuring a sofa that easily transforms into a sofa bed. The color palette revolves around glossy cream white for the custom cabinetry, an integrated lighting system. Ocher remains a dominant accent color, while a prominent rug featuring a reimagined 1970s geometric motif anchors the entire space.
THE PROJECT EXTENDS ACROSS THREE LEVELS AND TWO HOUSES. EACH FLOOR OFFERS A DISTINCT ATMOSPHERE — FROM THE LUMINOUS OPEN LIVING SPACES ABOVE TO THE INTIMATE WARMTH OF THE CINEMA ROOM, BAR, AND SPA BELOW.
In the home cinema area, everything is entirely made to measure. The acoustic wall padding consists of horizontal rounded segments that seamlessly curve to match the shape of the room. A massive, modular L-shaped sofa can transform into an expansive lounge daybed or be easily separated into individual oversized poufs.
The lower level (-1) also hosts a hidden speakeasy-style bar, strictly designed around a warm brick-red and deep green color palette. The rounded staircase continues its descent from the upper floor down to this level, terminating into a lush, indoor palm grove. A historic carpet from the Codimat collection flows entirely through the lower level, adding a decorative, whimsical touch to this windowless entertainment space.
THE BAR FEATURES A VERTICAL CLADDING OF CUSTOM-MADE CONVEXES CERAMIC ELEMENTS MATCHING THE SURROUNDING VELVET. INSPIRED BY HISTORIC PARISIAN BARS.
THE MASTER BEDROOM IS A BRIGHT, SUN-DRENCHED SANCTUARY OVERLOOKING THE LUSH CENTRAL COURTYARD. THE BUILDING’S ORIGINAL, METICULOUSLY RESTORED FRENCH-STYLE GLASS FACADE INFUSES THE ROOM WITH IMMENSE ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER.
Two lateral arches frame the bed area: one side features an expansive mirror to visually amplify the space, while the other accommodates a custom sofa alcove in a soft teal Dedar velvet.
Despite being on the lower ground floor (-1), this space is remarkably bright thanks to a large natural skylight that opens directly to the internal courtyard. The custom wardrobes are finished in a glossy cream lacquer with soft, indirect internal lighting.
The master bathroom centers around a grand double shower. Its striking backdrop features highly veined, rich green Lapponia marble, perfectly balanced by immaculate white Carrara marble on the walls and flooring.
The wellness sanctuary features an indoor pool lined entirely with volcanic lava stone, giving the water a deep, intense blue hue. A custom sauna is fully glass-fronted, offering unobstructed views of the pool area. A wooden bench sits against a feature wall lined with horizontal timber slats, keeping within a warm color palette of brick red and beige.
