Turning Back Time: Bar Nouveau in Paris by Atelier Alma.

On Paris’s Rue des Haudriettes is a bar with a floor intact from the 1970s. Or so a first look would have you believe. In reality, the floor wasn’t laid then, but it was made then. “One of the most remarkable features of this project is the restoration of the original opus incertum flooring,” says Aleksandr Kravtsov, associate architect at Atelier Alma, who, together with fellow architect Lana Kurova, helped bring back the seventies with authentic ceramic tiles sourced from a retailer specialising in old, unused lots. “The result is a walk back in time, where the past merges seamlessly with the present, inviting guests to step onto a path where history and modernity intertwine,” shares Lara.

Bar Nouveau was once more Irish than French. Before it acquired its Art Nouveau hallmarks, it was a quaint pub that tipped its hat to the Emerald Isle. But the bar’s reincarnation as an Art Nouveau landmark belies its past life. As Lana puts it, “Our approach sought to breathe new life into its historical context while embracing a contemporary aesthetic.”

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In doing so, the two explored the very depths of Art Nouveau style, reimagining organic lines, floral motifs and intricate detailing, in modern, spiffy forms. Deeming no detail too small, Aleksandr and Lana focused on fine craftsmanship, ornamenting the walls and ceilings with handcrafted wooden embellishments (each piece of wood was cut and shaped before being carefully assembled on-site).

Painted a shade of chocolate brown, the main entrance, along with the rest of the exterior, hints at the curiosities that lie beyond. “The exterior transformation was a pivotal part of our endeavour,” says Aleksandr, explaining that it was important to the pair that the original facade be given a new lease of life.

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In a bid to skew Art Nouveau while still maintaining a modern edge, they introduced timber elements to create intricate, old-world patterns reminiscent of iconic Art Nouveau design.

Bar Nouveau isn’t just a bar, nor is it particularly ‘nouveau’. It’s a place that slides forward and backward along an invisible continuum, magicking up bits of the past and the present, all seemingly in one breath. “It stands as a testament to the harmonious fusion of Art Nouveau’s timeless allure and the contemporary sensibilities of modern design. This reimagined space is a celebration of history and art, and it beckons all who enter to partake in its enchantment,” finishes Lana.

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[Images courtesy of Atelier Alma. Photography by BCDF Studio.]