Inside the Paris apartment that links three artist’s studios
Atelier HA founders Hugo Vince and Adèle Nourry were given a deceptively simple brief for this project in the 15th arrondissement of Paris: respect the soul of the place. In practice, that didn’t just encompass the technical complexities of converting three former artist’s studios into one apartment.
It also meant meeting the aesthetic and emotional expectations of three generations of the family who own the property. ‘The grandfather, Stephen Fleuri, was the artist who bought the studios,’ explains Hugo, whose job it was to create a home for the grandson, Dorian Fleuri.
They began by opening up the structural walls to connect the three studios, a formidable task that involved gaining various planning permissions and the approval of the other residents in the historic building. ‘The layout is totally different from a conventional apartment, which enabled us to create modular elements while retaining a sense of space,’ says Adèle.
Above the living room, kitchen and dining room runs a mezzanine with a bedroom, bathroom and an office that doubles as a place for guests to stay. Heavy curtains screen these spaces from the public areas below, creating greater intimacy and warmth.
‘Dorian wanted a desk with a view – a quiet room to work in,’ Hugo says of his client. ‘There is a lot of life enjoyed in this apartment, he has many parties and dinners. It’s a party place and a writing place!’
One of Atelier HA’s favourite decorating devices is using mirrors to play with perspective and increase the feeling of height and light. This was particularly useful on the ceilings of the downstairs rooms.
‘Dorian’s grandfather built the mezzanine by hand in the 1950s and he wanted us to continue the story, so we made it more secure in solid wood. It’s quite low, so that’s why we used the mirrored brass,’ explains Hugo. ‘It’s funny when you’re cooking and you look up and see your reflection!’
Mirrors were also used around the opening between the living room and kitchen, creating an optical illusion where the boundary seems to disappear. This came about because they weren’t allowed to fully open up the wall. ‘Sometimes, bad news can lead to good things,’ he says, laughing.
Okoume wood was chosen for all of the joinery in the apartment, while the tiling throughout acts as a tribute to Dorian’s grandfather’s work as a ceramicist. ‘At the start, I wanted to use different materials,’ admits Hugo, ‘but I’m happy we did that. I think it’s a good connection.’ Another is the use of Stephen’s artworks – a deferential touch that ensures this space’s latest incarnation honours the spirit of its original creator. atelierha.com
