Type de biens: Flat

Located in a historic and highly sought-after condominium in the 10th arrondissement, this apartment with its industrial origins was in good condition, but its U-shaped floor plan deserved to be rethought. It is built around a 9 m2 terrace, whose charm was just waiting to be revealed.

Objective

Rediscover a plan that’s easier to live in, with an open kitchen, larger shower room, separate WC and, of course, more storage space. Bring the terrace back to life as a real bonus room. More light in the kitchen.

Line of conduct

Preserve the atypical charm of the premises and the remarkable old features. Echo the greenery of the terrace by punctuating the apartment with flat expanses of green.

Assume the “countryside in Paris” ambience, which combines industrial codes (black metal skylights, antique doors, retro-style electric radiators), country-inspired antique furniture such as the farm table and framed kitchen fronts, and the Mediterranean softness embodied by the raw materials of the South of France: terracotta and waxed concrete.

Implementation

A complete renovation that places the kitchen next to the terrace, giving each a place at the heart of the apartment. A previously under-utilized space was upgraded with the creation of a custom-made office, entirely painted a deep green to become a real bonus room.

A parquet floor painted white to unify the whole and let the light circulate: a bold choice, but one that paid off.

An ultra-optimized bathroom in which waxed concrete-covered formwork conceals technical elements and creates hidden niches and storage.

Original plans & project

A haven of peace and light with simple beauty.

L'ARCHITECTE CARMIN

  • Crédits photosBertrand Fompeyrine BCDF
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The before …

Transforming a commercial space, using light, space and raw materials in a way that respects the existing building.

Before …

Target

Convert a commercial space on the first floor of a 1980s building into living space, while revealing the qualities of the existing building.

Course of action

The building’s orientation (East-West), its relationship to the exterior (garden and street) and its structure (reinforced concrete) were the three characteristics that guided the design process.

The plan expresses this orientation, allowing the building to “follow the sun” throughout the day, and thus to have a living space that changes atmosphere according to the light. The existing reinforced concrete structure organizes the apartment and creates sequences. It is also the starting point for the materiality. The brutality of concrete contrasts with the warmth of oak and the preciousness of stainless steel. The painted oak floor is deliberately neutral and light, like a backdrop for the furniture. Framing is used to reveal, give depth, set the scene or escape. They create transversal relationships between the reception and service areas.

Achievement

To make the transition from commercial to residential use, the street entrance was modified to create a new relationship with the street, and to distance the building from it by opening onto the garden.

A new street façade was created, and the first floor was turned into a living space by “inhabiting” the windows: in the kitchen in the living area and the dressing room in the bedroom.

On the garden side, a generous bench was created to encourage contemplation.

The building presented a number of technical constraints, notably the presence of water and air drainage systems. Meticulous work had to be carried out on site on the false ceilings to keep the volumes uncluttered and make them a strength of the project.

Original plans & project

An ambience combining raw elegance and luminous warmth.

L'ARCHITECTE Louis EISENLHOR

architectes@archik.fr
  • Crédits photosPhilippe Billard
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In a 1930 building designed by architects Jean Ginsberg and François Heep, this apartment needed to be optimized. Reinterpreted by architect Baptiste Legué, the space now boasts a modernist cachet.

Objective

Restore the radiance of a 1930s apartment by bringing in light and circulation.

Line of conduct

Creating a soft, luminous atmosphere was the common thread running through this renovation. Inviting light into every room to highlight mineral materials such as terrazzo and waxed concrete.

Implementation

The transformation of the apartment was radical: all partitions were removed, leaving only the structural elements in place. The floors underwent a complete overhaul to accommodate a mix of terrazzo and carpet. A set of furniture was carefully custom-designed and discreetly integrated into the existing environment. This approach re-established simple volumes and perfectly harmonized the apartment’s overall aesthetic.

A modernist setting that plays on contrasts.

L'ARCHITECTE DIPTYQUE

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A blank page to write in this apartment on the rue des Martyrs, which has been asleep for years. A playground of 112 m2  to invest fully.

Target

Adapting an apartment to today’s uses and functions, thanks to the decompartmentalization of the kitchen and the creation of a parental bedroom with dressing room and large shower room.

Course of action

A strong intervention on the entrance space and the kitchen, completely remodeled, and the creation of a contrast of this space with the rest of the apartment. Thought as a small stage, everything in the kitchen is there to highlight materials such as pink Quartzite opus, travertine, and dark wood.

Materials of unusual use, such as the Incertum opus in Pink Quartzite in the kitchen floor and the entrance hall, create a sense of surprise and are enhanced by custom-made arrangements in blackened oak and dark paint.

Achievement

The work on the custom-made layout elements has allowed the creation of functional spaces, as well as a simple and uncluttered reading of the spaces. It also allows to highlight elements such as a central island in travertine or furniture.

The adult bathroom, with its flowing shower and transparent dressing room, reveals a warm space bathed in light from the south.

Clean lines and uncompromising style, with bold but always accurate choices.

L'ARCHITECTE NAVARIN

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Before …

Côté nuit, trois chambres se partagent une salle d’eau contemporaine, et de nombreux rangements intégrés.
Une buanderie et une cave complètent ce bien.
Un appartement intégré dans un complexe architectural et perché dans le ciel marseillais.

Mario Fabre

Mario Fabre était un architecte français formé à l’École Régionale d’Architecture de Marseille, diplômé en 1960. Il a collaboré avec Bernard Laville à partir de 1963, réalisant plusieurs projets immobiliers de prestige pour le promoteur Georges Laville, dont la résidence Château Sec. Fabre a toujours mis l’accent sur la qualité des espaces, le confort des usagers et l’attention au contexte, même dans des projets de grande envergure. Il est décédé en 2024, laissant un héritage architectural notable.

Bernard Laville

Fils de Georges Laville, promoteur-constructeur influent à Marseille, Bernard Laville a suivi sa formation à l’École Régionale d’Architecture de Marseille dans les années 1950. Il a obtenu son diplôme en 1961 et a travaillé dans diverses agences avant de s’associer avec Mario Fabre en 1963. Ensemble, ils ont conçu plusieurs opérations immobilières de prestige, dont la résidence Château Sec. Après la dissolution de leur association en 1969, Bernard Laville a poursuivi sa carrière en réalisant des projets tels que le parc Berger et le Grand Pavois.

A contemporary renovation that respects the special soul of this beautiful 110 m2 flat in the heart of the Old Port of Marseille.

Target

To give this typical Old Port flat a new lease of life by revitalising and brightening it up.

Course of action

The idea was to rebalance the volumes of the place and to redefine the living rooms. The idea was also to create a work space that could become a spare bedroom, while keeping the beautiful light provided by the four windows.

The renovation and decoration of the flat was designed in several stages, in order to trace the eclectic career of its occupants, mixing contemporary pieces and travel objects.

Achievement

Changing the volumes of the kitchen was the first thing to be done in order to remodel the living room, to integrate a lounge and a dining area. Unifying the ceiling by sanding the beams (former galley masts) allowed them to regain their original clarity and softness. The challenge was to maintain the feeling of space without losing the clarity, thanks to the glass roof and steel joinery, separating the office from the living room. All of this was achieved by maintaining a colour palette that harmonised with the clay tiles on the floor, by creating a dialogue between the furniture and by creating beautiful perspectives thanks to an XXL mirror with generous curves.

In the night space, a parental suite has been designed, full of softness and fantasy. The bathroom of the suite was entirely made to measure, with gold marble tiles highlighted by a delicately powdered pink that is accentuated by the copper tapware. The choice of a thick, light-coloured carpet brings to the whole the luxury touch of the grand hotels and an unparalleled voluptuousness.

A warm and delicate glow, revealed by the beautiful light of the South.

L'ARCHITECTE NOUVELLE MAISON STUDIO

architectes@archik.fr
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Before …

In Boulogne, 125 m2 of open-plan offices have been given a new purpose: that of a tailor-made home.

Target

For this new space created from scratch, the objective was to give pride of place to perspectives and to open up. To close off rooms without appearing to do so, and to recreate each space in a flat.

Course of action

The desire to bring warmth to this industrial space dictates the use of oak as a guiding line throughout the flat. A real trompe-l’oeil that hides the classic office codes, hides the ducts, and groups the water rooms.

Achievement

The decompartmentalisation of the spaces to keep the loft spirit is underlined by the made-to-measure joinery which draws the different living spaces. Oak dresses the edges of the bay windows, creating a frame, and is found as a metaphor on the bathroom cabinet. A red staircase in folded metal created by the designer Axel Chay provides access to the terrace. The office area is delimited by the wall shelves which overflow onto the living space, like a fusion of spaces.

The only water column, a real constraint of the flat, obliged to gather each water room in the same neuralgic point. A camouflaged cube was then created behind the bookcase, opening through a back door onto a bathroom with toilet. The kitchen is juxtaposed with this on the one hand and the bathroom of the master bedroom on the other. The Leicht kitchen has a stone worktop and a grey-green waxed concrete floor that highlights the colour chosen for the cube, the centerpiece of this renovation.

The ceiling rails were retained, while the original parquet floor was sanded and glazed while retaining its natural colour. The two structural posts that weighed down the space are now adorned with striated wood, allowing them to disappear throughout the living area.

A real trompe-l'oeil that hides the classic codes of the office.

L'ARCHITECTE Un jour d’avril

architectes@archik.fr
  • Crédits photosGabrielle Voinot
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Before…