Located on the top floor of an old building dating back to the 17th century, this charming studio apartment sits in the heart of the Marais neighbourhood of Paris.  The owner brought on architect Agathe Lavaud of Volta Architecture to transform the apartment from a sombre space to an inviting, light-filled home.

Faced with the physical constraints of the space, Lavaud drew up the new floor plans to improve the overall circulation of the apartment, which led to the removal of the existing walls and partitions. Lavaud also decided to restore much of the original structure and materials found in the apartment including the wooden beams and the hexagonal ‘tomette’ floor tiles typically found in Parisian apartments of the period.

Although they retained the classic features of the apartment, Lavaud created a contrast by combining them with more modern materials and finishings such as waxed concrete and tinted oak. Curved arches are a recurring design element that are found in the doorways and custom cabinets. The selection of contemporary furniture provides a harmonious balance between modern and historical designs.