Apartment Place des Vosges

Paris / France / 2007-Ongoing

Design of interior element incorporating kitchen, staircase & mezzanine

Client: Mr J.M Rouff

Net Area: 138 m2

Executive Architects: Tukana Architects (FR) 

Ron Arad Architects were commissioned by a private client, J. M. Rouff, in September 2007 to design the interior of a 100sqm flat, recently acquired and conjoining onto his existing flat in Place des Vosges, Paris’ oldest square. The space was to be used to house a new industrial grade kitchen and dining/ entertaining space. By adding a bedroom with en suite bathroom, RAA aimed to create an almost autonomous apartment that could also be used by visiting guests for short periods.

The 100 sqm spatial envelope, located on the building’s first floor and overlooking the square, is double height. Whilst the flat has an entrance from the first floor, a further connection has been made at second floor level to the client’s existing flat. The design strategy is based upon a 3 dimensional circle,broken and stretched vertically from 1st floor level to second. This circle both embodies the circulation diagram, tying the space together vertically, whilst also making visual reference to a ‘center of gravity’ within the space. The circle’s centre is the setting out point from which the building system is deployed; a system of hardwood boxes of varying dimensions, internally lined with mirror polished stainless steel. These boxes, all tapering to a virtual centre point, form a circular, vertically spiralling shelving system that also performs as a screen between the two parts of the space. In strategic areas the boxes extrude further to form a staircase and mezzanine.