POUPEE | GJL

PLANNING ' PERCHED ON THE 5TH FLOOR OF A TYPICAL APARTMENT BUILDING IN THE VERY CORE OF PARIS, THIS REFURBISHMENT PROJECT WAS AN OCCASION TO TURN A SINGLE ROOM APARTMENT INTO A PROPER DOUBLE ROOM ONE.' Willing to see her boyfriend move in and regularly having friends round for dinner, the owner believed her place seriously needed a major overhaul. Primarily lacking a clear definition of spaces and functions, the apartment's plan had to be remodeled to generate more intimacy, maximize storage capacity and preserve a decent living room. TREE SHELTER As subdividing the existing space even more to add a private room didn't seem relevant in 35sqm, the most realistic option was not to keep anything in its place and start from scratch. Instead of the classical association of kitchen, bathroom and restroom as a block, it was decided that a different combination of functions would cohabit in a single box: the restroom and bathroom were kept, a bedroom, a cellar and a closet were added. ' THE NEWLY CREATED VOLUME WAS TREATED INDEPENDENTLY AND ITS FACADES COVERED WITH WOOD PLANKS LIKE A CHALET RESTING ON A HILLSIDE OR A SHELTER SUSPENDED TO A TREE: CLIMBING IN MEANS LEAVING THE OUTSIDE WORLD TO ENTER A SAFE HAVEN!' Deeply filled with enthusiasm, the client took up the challenge to modify her habits by combining her bedroom with her bathroom in a compact and totally private hotel-like scheme. DOLL HOUSE Despite the limited floor area, the living room was designed as a generous blank space freed from any obstacle. All functions it includes - i.e.: lounge, study room, dining room, kitchen, wardrobe - were spread out and built within the surrounding walls, just like a doll house holding its secrets. ' MORE THAN A DOZEN BOXES, FRAMED LIKE ART PIECES, WOULD SURPRISE THE USER AND TURN EVERYDAY RITUALS INTO UNASSUMING SOURCES OF DELIGHT.'