A private townhouse in the 11th arrondissement shaped by material restraint, controlled light, and integrated craftsmanship.
Tucked behind a closed gate and reached through a narrow courtyard, this private townhouse introduces an unexpected sense of calm within one of Paris’ most densely inhabited neighbourhoods. Conceived as a place of retreat, the residence departs from the visual noise of the surrounding urban fabric, offering a measured, inward-looking domestic environment defined by material clarity and spatial discipline.
The project adopts a deliberately reduced design language. A limited palette of oak, plaster, stone, and stainless steel establishes a consistent architectural vocabulary across the house, allowing material quality and proportion to take precedence over ornament. Decorative elements are consciously avoided, reinforcing an atmosphere of visual quiet and long-term relevance rather than stylistic expression.
Spatially, the house is organised as an L-shaped volume oriented entirely toward the internal courtyard. As all primary openings face inward, daylight becomes a critical design driver. This is resolved through a series of new skylights and a sculptural staircase that functions as the spatial and luminous core of the home. Rising through all four levels, the stair draws light deep into the plan, distributing it evenly while anchoring circulation. Its soft, undulating form is executed in oak, matching the bespoke wall panelling and built-in furniture throughout.
The interior layout spans approximately 3,800 square feet across four floors, including a compact basement level. The programme accommodates four bedrooms and four bathrooms for a family of four, with living spaces designed to shift seasonally. During warmer months, large openings connect the interior directly to the garden, extending daily life outward and reinforcing the relationship between architecture and landscape.
Lighting is fully recessed, and the majority of furniture is integrated into the architectural fabric. Kitchen appliances are concealed behind timber fronts, maintaining visual continuity across spaces. Existing concrete floors were retained, while the façade and skylights were newly introduced to support the home’s daylighting strategy.
Execution relied on a network of specialist craftsmen, with plasterwork sourced from Italy, solid oak flooring from Denmark, and lighting elements produced by Danish manufacturers. This international collaboration reflects the studio’s integrated approach, where design and fabrication operate in close alignment.
Throughout the project, restraint is not treated as an aesthetic gesture but as a functional framework. The result is a townhouse that prioritises calm, material integrity, and spatial longevity — an inward-focused domestic environment shaped by precision, craft, and a deeply controlled architectural language.
Photo Courtesy: Salva López
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