Interiors

Front and Back Apartment by h2o Architectes

10 June 2009

French studio h2o Architectes have completed an apartment in Paris for a comic-strip collector.

White, rounded volumes divide the 60 square metre interior.

Alcoves and cavities in these shapes variously house the comic collection, conceal bathroom and storage areas or form items of furniture such as the bar or desk.

Photographs are by Julien Attard.

Here’s some more information from h2o Architectes:

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The “Front and back” Apartment

It was a singular brief from a young Parisian advertising executive also avid collector of comic strips. He wished to live in a fresh environment, both serene and sparkling despite the fact that his existing space was dilapidated, its geometry confusing, compartmentalized and contorted.

The original apartment consisted of 6 rooms squeezed into 60 sq. meters, the entry space alone was 5 sq. meters and had 7 different doors!

The new design offers a continuous wide open space which expands, becomes more complex or dense depending on orientations and uses. These variances are defined by the variable geometries and the usable thickness of the casework and walls. A study on sculpting these depths allowed to create a variety of cavities, niches and alcoves. The sculpted shapes vary in size and colours to adapt to multiple functions in different locations. They can harbour either the vast collection of comic strips or a bar, a bathroom, a closet, and so on.

The front side of each shape always maintains its negative volume on the back. Behind the scenes can unveiled new uses taking place like cupboards, a desk, video, shelves, etc… In this manner, the apartment is continuously renewed and cross-views can become through-views.