The “Front and back” Apartment was a singular brief from a young Parisian advertising executive also avid collector of comic strips. He wished to live in a fresh environment, both serene and sparkling despite the fact that his existing space was dilapidated, its geometry confusing, compartmentalized and contorted. The original apartment consisted of 6 rooms squeezed into 60 sq. meters, the entry space alone was 5 sq. meters and had 7 different doors! The new design offers a continuous wide open space which expands, becomes more complex or dense depending on orientations and uses.
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These variances are defined by the variable geometries and the usable thickness of the casework and walls. A study on sculpting these depths allowed to create a variety of cavities, niches and alcoves. The sculpted shapes vary in size and colours to adapt to multiple functions in different locations. They can harbour either the vast collection of comic strips or a bar, a bathroom, a closet, and so on. The front side of each shape always maintains its negative volume on the back. Behind the scenes can unveiled new uses taking place like cupboards, a desk, video, shelves, etc. In this manner, the apartment is continuously renewed and cross-views can become through-views. This project is the work of h2o architectes, an office of creative architectural design also specializing in the restoration of ancient monuments. – Photos credits : Julien Attard
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- Posted in Architecture
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By Mihai
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really fresh design.
love the inlaid shelving. makes the space less cluttered and flow better.
really cool concept all round too for a brief. an extention that would be interesting to see to the idea is to make the walls move so that the space can be a lounge and then “transform” into a bedroom. like magic
awesome blog. really cool design.
keep in touch
alex – unleash reality
Amazing. A designer’s dream.
Fantastic!
Ca or fi costat designerii
Really like the use of curved walls, makes it look really different.
I guess its more practical as well for such a small space; safer.
Luke.
Excellent space utilization, especially density-wise. Should be mentioned the conversion of 60 sq m = approx 645 sq ft (Wish US would go to metric…)
Would love to know shelving depths. Also, washroom in bedroom, no toilet? I see it across room at entrance way?? Wondering about any MEP issues, plumbing especially – Any background on the space “before”? Any mention of LEED? Expense??!
This is definitely the direction we are seeing a lot of housing going towards over here. Absolutely LOVE the totems, shelving and the actual feel of spaciousness. Love the minimalization of furnishings!
Excellent Innovate, Creative, Practical Utilization, Space Design!
Congrats!
I love the color scheme of this apartment. The Inlaid greens and oranges combined with the complete disarray that is the layout of the apartment really give the whole thing character.
I love this apartment, a good usage of the space and everything works because of the small area. In particular the double sided Totems creating storage, wardrobes,bookshelves and also an home office with the angles creating an amazing change from the boxy square room design. Brill but I would change the colour scheme but keep a base of 2 or 3 colours to keep it flowing.