Nestled in a serene passage within Paris’s 7th arrondissement, the Segur Flat spans 50 sqm, just a stone’s throw away from the iconic Invalides. However, the original layout posed challenges, lacking space for a generous kitchen, ample dining area, or comfortable living space, with windows shuttered off.
Spatial Reconfiguration
The primary objective was to imbue the flat with a sense of openness and connectivity, both within rooms and across volumes. To achieve this, most walls were removed, replaced by a glass partition to maintain the continuity of windows, fostering circulation along the facade and reflecting the adjacent balcony.
Design Elements
As architect-carpenters, the team crafted three wooden volumes to structure the space while preserving its openness.
- Kitchen: Crafted from wood and granite, the kitchen serves as a transitional space, seamlessly integrating with the rest of the flat. Okoumé and birch plywoods, fluted glass, and a granite countertop create a harmonious sequence of spaces, allowing light, views, and movement to flow freely.
- Bookcase: Characterized by a play of light and dark woods, rounded and straight shapes, and alternating filled and empty spaces, the bookcase offers abundant hidden storage. Hand-turned ipé posts, birch plywood shelves, and okoumé plywood faces infuse dynamism into the space.
- Cupboard: A bespoke wooden furniture piece situated in the bedroom, the cupboard combines storage, desk, and bedside tables, optimizing the limited space around the bed.
Synthesis of Design
The open-plan layout, interplay of materials, and cascading natural light through the windows converge to create a cozy and inviting ambiance, evoking a profound sense of warmth and well-being — the quintessence of home.
Through thoughtful spatial reconfiguration and meticulous craftsmanship, faire breathed new life into the Segur Flat, transforming it into a sanctuary of comfort and elegance amidst the bustling cityscape of Paris.
