Located in a narrow street, the main building retains its historical character, with a new façade that conserves the existing architecture (height, rhythm of openings, mouldings, pale render), while adopting a recognisable hotel vernacular, with elegant black awnings, luxuriantly planted pots, and the redistribution of the ground floor windows – in an overall design of dark wood.
From the street the sightline to the centre of the plot allows the small and inviting courtyard to be seen. The idea is that the hotel is open to the city, thanks to both its architecture and its commercial offering, proposed in accordance with the needs of local residents.
The former office building has been completely restructured to create a luxury Parisian hotel, with as its focal point the new central courtyard and contemporary extension. The building’s new identity offers an exceptional experience in a place that is both deluxe and intimate.
The two buildings are joined by a series of metal walkways on different levels that pay homage to the bohemian spirit of New York’s Soho and offer splendid views on to the planted area called “the rain garden”. Huge sliding bay windows open onto a large wooden terrace, which functions as an extension of the indoor reception area and enjoys the same view onto the rain garden.
This “natural” setting carries on through to the lower part of the façade of the extension, with wide, vertical boards in unvarnished wood that emphasise the volume of these suspended boxes. The marble facade, lightly overlaid with moss, adds a unique and unexpected touch to the whole.
Punctuated by large bay windows, which offer a view into the interior spaces bathed in light, the façade of the extension is in subtle dialogue with the regular rhythm of the windows of the period building it faces.
And finally, particular attention is paid to the roof, terraces, and/or the generous planting that brings an added sense of abundance to the facades. The greenery provides a link between the contemporary and the traditional.
Interior arrangement
The interior arrangement has been designed in coordination with the architecture, in order to ensure an overall coherence in the project’s design. The building’s new narrative brings to life a particular kind of understated “Parisian chic” that plays with decorative elements that have been carefully chosen and designed specifically for the site.
Colours and materials harmonise to create graphic tableaux, from wallpaper to bedding, from floor coverings to bathroom fittings, intentionally uniting contrasting materials, such as metal and fabric, wood and glass. Source by Beckmann-N’Thépé.
- Location: 19 rue Saulnier, Paris – 75009, France
- Architect: Beckmann-N’Thépé
- Project manager: Laura Ros
- Architect: Christophe Crouau
- Assistant Architects: Estelle Brandon, Martin Lefèvre, Guillaume Thomas, Ammara Voravong
- Perspectivist: Charles Costantini
- Consultant: Clémande Burgevin-Blachman
- Structure: EOC
- Economist: FMBI Conseil
- Plumbing: Espace Ingénierie
- Fire safety + prevention: BTP Consultants
- General Contractor: Rabot Dutilleul
- Interior architecture: Lazer Agencement
- Maintenance office: BTP Consultants
- Health and Safety Coordinator: BTP Consultants
- Project implementation: Robinson Architectes
- Client Project Management: Céline Boullenger
- Surface area: 2,129 m2
- Cost: 6.9 M€ (excl. tax)
- Delivery date: October 2017
- Images: Courtesy of Beckmann-N’Thépé
