A Brighter Home, A Smarter Use of Space
“In Paris, apartments are never square,” explains architect François Le Pivain, “so you have to deal with the existing, to be creative, and to make a compact home as spacious as it can be – as luminous as it can be.” Le Pivain, the co-founder of sŌne Building Workshop, applied his own design philosophy when reimagining his sister’s home near the historic Marché de l’Olive in northern Paris.
The brief for the 33sqm/305sqft apartment was one that perhaps many would sign up for: to open up the space while adding plenty of storage for clothing and a growing collection of plants. More light, more storage, and more happy plants. To transform the space, Le Pivain removed multiple partition walls, creating a sense of spaciousness and allowing the natural light from the apartment’s three large windows to flow freely throughout. Custom birchwood joinery was then used to reconfigure the rest of the layout, defining the entrance, the kitchen, a base for the mezzanine, and the living area. “[The joinery] runs through the entire volume and creates fluid connection between the spaces,” explains Le Pivian.
Maximising Space with Thoughtful Storage
The birchwood joinery not only defines the home's distinct zones but also integrates custom-built storage that blends seamlessly into the apartment’s architecture. Le Pivian says, “We tried to make use of every square centimetre for maximum efficiency.” And it shows.
At the entrance, a full-height cabinet serves dual purposes, offering both everyday and long-term storage. The kitchen houses a pantry and multiple cupboards – an impressive (and practical) feat for a small space – while the low storage cabinets running the length of the living room double as a display area for plants and other collectables. Cubbies within the mezzanine stair treads provide a practical solution for keeping belongings out of sight as well as convenient extra seating for guests. And finally, since there is no such thing as too much storage, Le Pivain used open shelving to define the mezzanine’s perimeter, establishing what he describes as “a cozy cocoon bedroom” – an ideal balance of “both openness and great intimacy.”.
Designing Through Discovery
The renovation process uncovered unexpected opportunities that shaped the final design. The idea for the mezzanine emerged only after removing the old ceiling, which revealed an extra 50 centimetres of height – just enough space to tuck it above the kitchen. A single change that would transform the entire apartment’s functionality.
The bathroom posed a design challenge that led to a unique feature as well. First, the toilet and bathroom, which were previously separated, were merged into one new room. From there the original plan was to use a traditional vanity but once construction began, it became clear that it wouldn’t fit comfortably. To solve this, a custom corner vanity was installed, ensuring both practicality and ease of movement in the compact space.
At the same time that these more modern finishes and solutions were applied, elements of the apartment’s history were also finding their way back into prominence. Hidden beneath layers of previous work, the original ceiling moldings had been forgotten, only to be discovered anew during the renovation. Rather than covering them again, Le Pivain and his sister preserved them and painted them green as a subtle tribute to the building’s past. These discoveries, though unplanned, became defining features, forming the apartment’s character as much as its function.
A Philosophy of Compact Living
For Le Pivain, designing small spaces isn’t just about efficiency – it’s about reshaping urban living: “There’s no more essential opportunity for an architect than designing a domestic space. It is at the heart of intimacy and daily life that architecture takes on its full meaning.” In a city like Paris, where space is scarce and urban density is a growing concern, transforming existing buildings is both a necessity and an opportunity. “This is the foundation of a sustainable and humanistic urban experience,” Le Pivain explains. His sister’s apartment is more than just a home – it’s a carefully considered response to the challenges and possibilities of modern city living.
