zyva studio's straight curves apartment brings vibrant digital motifs to paris

a virtual game in the matignon gardens

keeping the digital world in mind, the architect and zyva studio founder anthony authié realizes this ‘straight curves’ apartment in paris. the design draws inspiration from the shapes generated by his computer’s algorithm to reimagine the four corners of an haussmanian apartment, which features an eastern façade overlooking the matignon gardens. this project with resolutely virtual influences, where colors contrast and shapes undulate, introduces a new outlook for this compact, fifty square-meter space.

images © valentin fougeray | @valentinfougeray

the dualism of the straight curves apartment

zyva studio (see more) designs the straight curves apartment with a dichotomous dialogue, merging two eras, two styles, two colors, two floorings, and two shapes. the architect notes that the project emulates a game of ping pong which leads the occupant from one element to its exact opposite. the haussmanian language clashes with a contemporary one, as do the contrasting orange and blue hues, the wood and the porcelain stoneware, the angular and curved shapes, and the hot and the cold.

zyva studio’s (almost) HAUSSMANNIAN living room

the living room of zyva studio’s straight curves apartment reflects the streamlined features of the haussmannian style, with period floorboards, restored moldings and creamy walls rendered in the moon honey shade from blime. the light fixtures are built-in leds that showcase the cymas on the ceiling, a reference to ruben ostlund’s 2017 the square. the cupboards beneath the bookcase are adorned with metallic armor, reminiscent of arnold schwarzenegger in joel schumacher’s batman & robin. in the center of the room, an orange rug of two meters by three, created by architect and designer louis lefebvre contaminates the floor.

in the manner of an archaic map, paths seem to appear on the fabric, hand-tufted from recycled wool. the pewter accents sewn onto the rug are like ‘pools of molten metal,’ passageways between crossroads. placed on this rug, the philippe nigrot sofa from his roset line is assembled like a puzzle. the bespoke table legs, 3D printed in electric blue PLA ziro filament, waver like knock-kneed legs. they bear the weight of a triangular green waterproof MDF slab, an arrow in space that indicates a direction.

standing by this space, a greige- colored volume, painted in blime’s wild ashes tone, plays host to the home’s kitchen, bathroom, restroom, and bedroom. the angles of this space are curved by the entrance and become increasingly sharp as they approach the kitchen. large chains designed by wendy andreu, rendered in cotton and silicone, greet you as you enter. here, the floor is covered with a ‘clinical mosaic’ from villeroy et boch’s pro arquitectura collection.

the kitchen’s wall is covered with a glossy coat of lacquer. the light fittings contort like a flamenco dancer. the colorful faucets from marti are like splashes of paint on a white canvas, an ode to raf simons and sterling ruby’s blue shirt.

the bathroom, covered in royal blue tiles, gravitates in the space like a lone planet. within, the monochrome hue accentuates the feeling of immersion. vertical and horizontal lines blend into one. you are transported elsewhere, swallowed into a deep ocean, lost in the big blue. here, the flamenco light fittings reappear, echoing the doorknobs adorned with a similar print.

the entrance extends into the living room, like a lover with open arms. the bedroom, on the other hand, is engulfed in flames. here too, the dichotomous dialogue permeates. after a cold shower, the night is set ablaze. the drapes close to reveal a flame pattern which emulates computer-generated particles.