Apartment Boulevard de Sébastopol

The traditional layout of this late nineteenth century Haussmann-style, building – large entrance area with kitchen close by but far from the dining room, and just one bathroom, called for a complete makeover.

AIM Hanemian Architects has nevertheless sought to be faithful to the spirit of the original layout by deciding to turn the large entrance into a glass-partitioned kitchen in ‘workshop’ style with the slender partition supports in gunmetal grey: the effect created is of a stylish modern restaurant. The kitchen has thus been moved closer to the dining room and is now opposite to the book-shelving area: it is thus in the heart of the apartment and is better suited to its role in family life. The old kitchen now contains a laundry, wardrobe and shower-room.

The former living room and the small study have been opened up by semi-partitioning and they are linked to the dining room in the same way. The inhabitants move freely around a central buffet table from which rises up a large framing structure that highlights the dining room in spectacular fashion as if it were a framed picture.