noa* rejuvenates flat in the heart of paris achieving effortless intimacy

‘nicolai paris’ by noa* in the heart of paris

among the blue-grey galvanized roofs and the banks of the seine, italian studio noa* has completely rejuvenated a flat to form a parisian pied-à-terre. designed for a young family that has requested to revive the feeling of being at home, ‘nicolai paris’ deals with sensations, images, and memories. the flat occupies part of the second floor and an attic nestled into hôtel nicolai, a historic building that respects the heritage of the property.

through constant conversations with the clients, the design team sought to depict their experiences into a spatial journey. the architects compare the interior to the ‘nautilus’, a creature that has survived unchanged for millions of years — as told due to its helical shell shape, which allowed it to feel at home all the time. this allegory results in a design of an envelope made to cope with all adversities and hardships. the curved line becomes the stylistic signature of the apartment, symbolizing domestic comfort, while along with parisian inspirations, it yields a refined and timeless character.all images by antoine huot

A TAILORED DESIGN TO IMMEDIATELY FEEL AT HOME

the architects (see more here) sought to create a serene, calm, and welcoming atmosphere, where the residents feel immediately at home. when it comes to the materiality and color palette, they sought to convey the elegance of the district. the color of the blue-grey marble, the fabrics of the cushions and upholstery, the choice of materials and hues for the floors, ceilings, and walls are all inspired by the roofs of paris.

an effortless intimacy

the interior is wrapped in curved lines and the scent of wood, providing an effortless intimacy. the ground floor consists of a service and guest entrance, while the chromatic and material division, creates a spatial distribution, with the different functions of living naturally following one another. the living area is clad in bleached oak parquet in a french herringbone pattern, while the circulation corridor is covered in terrazzo.

this runway seems to divide the floor into two islands: on the one side, a niche furnished with oak seating and black leather cushions invites people to rest or interact, offering views opening towards seine. and on the other side take place the kitchen and living room area, where the gaze rests on the elegant grey-blue marble ‘bardiglio imperiale’, used for the fireplace cladding and the kitchen top. the chester sofa and a cozy dining area with a bench complete the furnishings.

the lower level also houses two bedrooms and a bathroom. the master bedroom is furnished with a freestanding bathtub carved from a single block of ‘botticino fiorito’ marble. the washbasins and shower surfaces are made of the same material. a sinuous staircase acts as a connecting means between the two floors. it guides the inhabitants to the upper floor, creating a visual extension of the terrazzo flooring. this level accommodates a multifunctional room outfitted for home cinema and a guest room with a private bathroom.