Perched on the 12th floor in Paris’s lively Belleville neighbourhood, this once fragmented 57sqm/613sqft apartment has been opened up by architects Taïna Pichon of Meraki Architecture and Mathieu Durbec of MDA. Running from the entrance to the bathroom, a striking dark-stained maritime pine and glass volume incorporates storage, a bar, home office, and guest room. The kitchen pairs an all-white IKEA fit-out with beige porcelain tiles inspired by the building’s 1970s origins, while a custom island doubles as dining seating and concealed storage. An expansive balcony extends the living area toward the city, while restored timber floors, exposed concrete beams, industrial-style lighting, and raw finishes bring warmth and character throughout.
Architects Taina Pichon and Mathieu Durbeck collaborated to renovate a 1970s apartment in Paris's 19th arrondissement. The project focuses on resource efficiency and an industrial aesthetic, transforming a fragmented, dated layout into a modern, open-concept living space that optimizes functionality within a compact urban environment.
The project is guided by an efficient approach to resources,
where materials are left exposed.
This gives the house an industrial and authentic aesthetic.
while using fewer materials.
My name is Taina Pichon.
I am an architect in Paris.
specialized in interior renovation.
My name is Mathieu Durbeck,
I am an architect in Marseille.
We worked together to renovate this house.
The house is located in the 19th district of Paris.
The neighbor is one of the highest points in Paris.
located at a height of 128 meters.
This neighbor is one of the most beautiful places in Paris.
with a popular and cosmopolitan identity.
The building dates from the year 1970.
It's very high, with 13 stars,
what is higher than the stars of Paris.
The house we renovated is located on the 12th Star.
Before the renovation, the house was in good condition.
But many walls, stars, and materials have been diverted.
The enclosed kitchen was narrow.
It's difficult to have more than one person cooking at the same time.
All the spaces were separated by walls.
A long and narrow corridor, with packaging,
He connected all the rooms.
With the testimony of the customers,
We have decided to completely redesign the layout of the apartment.
We have removed the walls that separated the kitchen from the living areas.
and we added a kitchen island
which also doubles as a seat for the dining area.
The bathroom has been widened.
in order to add a new laundry room that was not part of the apartment before.
The kitchen, the living area, and the dining area
comprehending a vast open space.
We were able to repurpose the corridor.
to create a volume that functions as storage for the entrance and the home office
Finally, the bathroom has been refreshed
And the garment was added in the bathroom.
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It's hot here, anyway.
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The entrance was designed as a functional vestibule.
As soon as you arrive, the black wood structures the space and creates a warm atmosphere.
A secluded nook with a bench offers a comfortable spot.
to put on and take off shoes
with built-in storage for shoes.
It has a large cover built inside.
complemented by discreet layers behind the door.
The volume of wood and glass is the key structural element of the project.
It consists of fixed panels and operable openings.
allowing access to the office space or the background.
It is made of locally sourced maritime pine and glass.
We use a pressing process to apply paint to wood seeds.
leaving the other parts in their natural color.
We wanted a masculine, elegant, and refined layer.
And we conducted numerous tests and discussed them with our clients.
It is an impressive design that has become the definitive future of the house.
The living room has been kept in its original position.
It was opened to improve the flow and benefits of natural light.
large climbing gates.
The original fuzziness of the wood has been preserved and has reflected the character of the building and the houses.
by adding space to the entire design.
And we added an industrial neon light.
Its design complements the exposed concrete stack.
The balcony naturally extends the living space.
Our customers have a small table and a chair where they can enjoy their morning coffee.
The office is located in the multi-functional area behind the ice partition.
We also designed a generous construction office using the same wood as the surrounding doors.
This allows for a comfortable and spacious area when working from home.
Both owners are avid readers.
So we designed a large library to accommodate their entire collection.
It can be easily converted into a habitable room.
without clinging to the main areas of the building.
A large construction office was added to provide additional employment for the entire group of closures.
The kitchen was opened toward the bathroom.
to better connect it with the main spaces of the building.
For reasons of efficiency, we have chosen a white IKEA kitchen.
to create a contrast with the black tones used in the entrance and the office.
The kitchen is fully equipped with an oven, a built-in refrigerator-microwave combination, and a cooking range.
The beige lines come from a historic French manufacturer that has been producing lines for over 100 years.
They were selected for the floor, the walk-up, and the backsplash, in keeping with the 1970s-inspired aesthetic.
At the end of the kitchen, there is a large window that can be opened to access the balcony directly.
We have added a new cover to provide space when needed.
as well as to connect the kitchen and dining areas.
To optimize space, the other side of the lid is designed for a dinner table setting.
The tray can be opened and provides a large storage area for daily items.
Beyond the cover, a built-in book page has been incorporated.
Its dimensions echo the use of the existing concrete sheet in the bathroom,
while also providing additional storage for books and plants.
The bathroom is at the back of the apartment.
It had no original storage, so we added a mirror cover.
while enhancing the sense of space.
The bathroom also has a large window that opens onto the balcony.
In an space-optimization approach, access to the bathroom is via a pocket door.
which allows freeing up space and expanding the room.
The bathroom has been replaced,
while the bathroom and the original layout have been preserved.
Storage has also been added under the vanity unit.
The bathroom has stone porcelain.
Same French manufacturer as the pieces in the kitchen, but in a different color.
The bathroom has been extended to include a new toilet.
We have added a lot of additional storage above the toilets and the cleaning machine.
This area is associated with a translucent, fluid glass that provides privacy.
The wall has been painted a bright red.
It adds depth and creates an interesting interplay of silhouettes.
what can be seen through the fluid glass.
The overarching vision for designing small spaces is to achieve the perfect balance.
while respecting the existing context, optimizing functionality, and enhancing materiality.
Renovating small urban spaces is a key challenge for a sustainable city.
This makes it possible to build a house without consuming new land.
and to enhance the value of the existing storage.
Finally, this encourages architectural innovation and the creation of compact homes.
high-quality homes that adapt to contemporary urban models.