Form and Function: Compact Paris Loft by PS Studio.

Modest in budget and scale, this Paris apartment, located near the Canal de l’Ourcq, offers a peaceful refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city (close to Parc de la Villette and the Petite Ceinture) thanks to a clever redesign by PS Studio. The building was once a brewery that underwent several transformations and additions. Today, the brewery is gone, but its spacious areas have been preserved.

The loft on the first floor has two architectural features: a ceiling height of 3.2 meters and southwest-facing windows that frame a bamboo garden. “We removed the interior partitions to create a large open space,” explains the team at PS Studio. “The goal was to create a timeless blank canvas conducive to creativity.”

The designers deconstructed the central load-bearing wall, revealing three vertical elements. These columns create a multitude of perspectives and false symmetries. The living space is placed in the centre of the apartment, and the entire space is open to maintain the continuity of the front windows.

The entrance sits under a mezzanine, optimized with storage with a hidden door providing access to the toilet. To the right, the space transforms into a workspace or a bedroom when the curtains are closed, offering versatility in the 59sqm layout. The elevated alcove can be accessed via a retractable pine ladder.

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The open-plan, minimalist kitchen runs the length of the living room, the hood with its exposed duct taking centre stage between the two columns. A movable piece of furniture conceals a trompe-l’oeil door, allowing access to the bathroom without visitors having to pass through the bedroom.

Light plays an essential role in the staging this apartment. Round windows in various rooms provide a touch of softness and continuity between spaces. The window from the alcove is a true focal point, offering a view of the serving area. The large window in the bathroom, with its adjustable blade curtain, modulates the light according to the desired ambience, be it day or night.

With an optimized layout, continuity of existing windows through all the spaces, spatial planning that’s both horizontal and vertical, and the use of elemental materials all perfectly illustrate how interior architecture can serve both form and function.

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[Images courtesy of PS Studio. Photography by Jean-Baptiste Thiriet.]