Built as an artist’s studio by a sculptor at the beginning of the last century, this house – which faces the Bois de Boulogne park in the 16th arrondissement of Paris – has quite literally grown with the times. It now features an additional three floors aboveground and two basements in extension to its original two floors, making it total of seven floors. With a minimalist interior and generous bay windows overlooking the verdant park, there are gorgeous views everywhere you look.
At a glance
Who lives here A young couple
Home A seven-storey home in the 16th arrondissement of Paris
Size 5,920 sq ft
Designer Joseph Karam Architects
When refurbished in 2013, the home had belonged to architect Joseph Karam. “Normally, I begin to study the character of my client and try to understand and translate his dream into my drawings,” says Joseph. “But in this project it was simple, since I had the chance to be the client myself this time.”
He wanted to preserve the history and spirit of the artist’s studio, while updating the home for function and comfort. It also had to be spacious enough to house a family. To do so, Joseph retained most of the old studio’s façade on the ground floor and first floor, performing light restorations, and constructed the rest of the house in a markedly contemporary style.
The result is an interesting blend of the modern and traditional – the original home’s character is still evident with its white concrete and a mix of northern and southern French styles, while the black metallic architecture of the new upper floors creates a stark contrast. “We did not want to copy the lower part [of the house],” says Joseph. He decided not to use concrete at all in the newer parts of the home, choosing metal and glass instead.
“This created a contrast in style of material and colour, which was the initial goal of the concept, while keeping the soul of the artist of the old times,” he shares.
The interiors feature a similar approach: whitewashed walls contrast with the exposed metal structures of the staircase and elevator shaft. Other materials such as wood, stucco, and glass feature prominently, with not a bit of concrete in sight.
The choice of materials posed a challenge in itself, especially since this was an old house. Obtaining the building permit took the team two years, as they had to conduct an anti-seismic study to ensure stability of the building. The team’s efforts paid off, however, and they were allowed to increase the height of the building given the small surface area of the land. This allowed them to experiment with different styles on each level.
The two basements house the laundry room, wine cellar, game room, and storage, while the ground floor is home to the communal areas such as the living room and kitchen. Upstairs, each floor hosts an individual private suite. Perhaps the most beautiful of all these is the garden that lies on the topmost floor.
“[We] created a garden in front of the main façade – planted with bamboos, weeping willows, and roses – and a suspended terrace with pines and cypresses,” says Joseph. There’s even an outdoor bathtub in the garden, surrounded by a veil of greenery. When one stands here, it’s hard to believe that this still, lush landscape sits in the heart of one of the busiest cities in the world.
Inside, the furniture in the home was given as much consideration as the architecture. Most of it was designed by the Joseph Karam Agency as part of their POP collection, and feature practical elements such as wheels for easier movement. “Moving a bed two meters wide to change the sheets is much easier with wheels than with fixed legs,” says Joseph. His favourite room is the master suite, which has a carefully-planned spatial flow for every detail.
The choice of furniture and home accessories also reflects the interplay of modern and traditional elements. In the living room, a stone statue of a fifth-century Roman senator presides, while illuminated niches house Lebanese pots from the second century. These stand out against the clean, contemporary interiors. “[I love] the minimalist style – it’s a style that breathes, calms the spirit, and highlights the antiques and paintings of value,” shares Joseph.
Now, the house has been sold to a young couple who wanted to live in a modern house with a clear view of the Bois. As far as design goes, this is still one of the more unique and atypical homes you can find in the area today. “It [was] very rare to be able to have this chance to build an independent house in Paris in one of its most chic districts,” says Joseph.
This article was originally published in Home & Decor.
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