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Paris Before & After: A Huge Renovation for a First-Home Buyer
This bohemian apartment in Paris was nearly condemned until an architect transformed it into a cosy new hideaway
Buying your first home can be a nerve-wracking leap. That’s why this 28-year-old reached out to his network to find an architect who was willing to accompany him on real estate viewings and consult on properties’ potential.
In the end, he selected an apartment on the ground floor of a maisonette (typically an apartment with its own front door) at the back of a courtyard on Rue Sainte-Marthe. This artsy district sits in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, France, and has kept much of its bohemian charm. His architect, Pierre Savajol, confirmed that the apartment had a lot of potential – if it were to get a major renovation – and the brave new owner entrusted him with the project.
In the end, he selected an apartment on the ground floor of a maisonette (typically an apartment with its own front door) at the back of a courtyard on Rue Sainte-Marthe. This artsy district sits in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, France, and has kept much of its bohemian charm. His architect, Pierre Savajol, confirmed that the apartment had a lot of potential – if it were to get a major renovation – and the brave new owner entrusted him with the project.
The floor plan before works.
In July 2021, the owner and architect visited the ground floor of this maisonette, which was put up for sale as a two-room property. “The 27-square-metre flat was in a terrible state with damp and awful soundproofing, but the charming adjoining 30-square-metre courtyard, which is almost private, offered additional value,” says Savajol.
Having discussed his estimate for potential renovations, Savajol encouraged the homeowner to purchase the property at a fair price and launch into the large-scale renovation.
In July 2021, the owner and architect visited the ground floor of this maisonette, which was put up for sale as a two-room property. “The 27-square-metre flat was in a terrible state with damp and awful soundproofing, but the charming adjoining 30-square-metre courtyard, which is almost private, offered additional value,” says Savajol.
Having discussed his estimate for potential renovations, Savajol encouraged the homeowner to purchase the property at a fair price and launch into the large-scale renovation.
The floor plan after works.
The homeowner, who wished to live alone in the apartment for the time being, wanted a bedroom area, a large bathroom and lots of light. The architect used sketches and 3D drawings to help him visualise the space. Consultations took place in September and October 2021, and the renovation followed from November 2021 to late January 2022 under the architect’s supervision.
The homeowner, who wished to live alone in the apartment for the time being, wanted a bedroom area, a large bathroom and lots of light. The architect used sketches and 3D drawings to help him visualise the space. Consultations took place in September and October 2021, and the renovation followed from November 2021 to late January 2022 under the architect’s supervision.
The entrance before works.
“The ground floor was in pretty bad shape. It was very damp; you could see it at the base of the walls, and there was a bad odour. Nothing was to standard,” says the architect.
The screed on the floor and the walls in the bathroom had to be treated, as most of the moisture problems were related to rising damp from the maisonette’s mini crawl space.
“The ground floor was in pretty bad shape. It was very damp; you could see it at the base of the walls, and there was a bad odour. Nothing was to standard,” says the architect.
The screed on the floor and the walls in the bathroom had to be treated, as most of the moisture problems were related to rising damp from the maisonette’s mini crawl space.
The entrance before works.
“The property was almost condemned, and there was moreover a huge acoustic insulation problem that the homeowner wanted to fix. We got an unpleasant surprise when we removed the paneling on the ceiling. The top panelling was a real mess. There were even some holes through which we could see the neighbours’ home, including their washing machine just above. The ceiling was on the verge of collapsing,” says Savajol.
“The property was almost condemned, and there was moreover a huge acoustic insulation problem that the homeowner wanted to fix. We got an unpleasant surprise when we removed the paneling on the ceiling. The top panelling was a real mess. There were even some holes through which we could see the neighbours’ home, including their washing machine just above. The ceiling was on the verge of collapsing,” says Savajol.
The entrance after works.
Repairing this small area called for a substantial amount of structural work. The top panelling was covered and then insulated with “10-centimetre-thick soundproofing material made of wood wool, a hard composite and acoustic BA13 panels [referring to a standard for 12.5-centimetre-thick plasterboard with tapered edges],” says the architect.
Repairing this small area called for a substantial amount of structural work. The top panelling was covered and then insulated with “10-centimetre-thick soundproofing material made of wood wool, a hard composite and acoustic BA13 panels [referring to a standard for 12.5-centimetre-thick plasterboard with tapered edges],” says the architect.
The entrance before works.
Savajol also removed and then covered the drenched and uneven screed on the floor. “We put a strong water repellent on the new screed, then we levelled it a little and put in insulation foam, which sits below the new oak wood flooring,” he says. They also replaced the plumbing, electrical wiring, woodwork and radiator heaters.
Savajol also removed and then covered the drenched and uneven screed on the floor. “We put a strong water repellent on the new screed, then we levelled it a little and put in insulation foam, which sits below the new oak wood flooring,” he says. They also replaced the plumbing, electrical wiring, woodwork and radiator heaters.
The entrance after works.
This newly renovated apartment now features an expanded kitchen corner to the left of the entrance, near the biggest window. At the back, a custom-built cupboard hides the gas meter and fuse box.
“We took advantage of the space to create closed storage for keys and an umbrella, as well as a bookcase on top,” says Savajol.
This newly renovated apartment now features an expanded kitchen corner to the left of the entrance, near the biggest window. At the back, a custom-built cupboard hides the gas meter and fuse box.
“We took advantage of the space to create closed storage for keys and an umbrella, as well as a bookcase on top,” says Savajol.
The owner found the vintage Formica table and chairs from the ’50s or ’60s in a sunny yellow.
The kitchen after works.
“The fridge really sets the tone. The homeowner was very keen on having a freestanding vintage fridge-freezer, and we found this new model from Schneider that comes in a range of lively colours. We chose the yellow as it brightened up the space and made this shade the dominant colour in the living area,” says Savajol.
“The fridge really sets the tone. The homeowner was very keen on having a freestanding vintage fridge-freezer, and we found this new model from Schneider that comes in a range of lively colours. We chose the yellow as it brightened up the space and made this shade the dominant colour in the living area,” says Savajol.
The architect suggested a parallel kitchen layout for ample benchtop and storage space. “The 60-centimetre-deep cupboards house the hob and a 45-centimetre dishwasher underneath, as well as the sink and spice rack. Opposite, the 40-centimetre bar area incorporates a combined microwave oven and storage space,” he says.
Browse small Australian kitchens for inspiration
Browse small Australian kitchens for inspiration
Ikea cabinets make up the kitchen’s base. Topped with melamine benchtops, they were finished with timber-veneer doors designed by a carpenter.
The galvanised pipe overhead matches the double-flow ventilation system they installed. “The pipe was already there but was not very functional. I insisted on keeping it as it adds a welcoming industrial touch to this old, workshop-style building,” says Savajol.
The galvanised pipe overhead matches the double-flow ventilation system they installed. “The pipe was already there but was not very functional. I insisted on keeping it as it adds a welcoming industrial touch to this old, workshop-style building,” says Savajol.
The entrance to the bedroom and bathroom before works.
This small space had lots of partitions, and the young homeowner planned to divide it up further to create a bedroom, living room, and large bathroom. The architect, however, convinced him to open up the space as much as possible, and designed separate zones with distinct uses.
This small space had lots of partitions, and the young homeowner planned to divide it up further to create a bedroom, living room, and large bathroom. The architect, however, convinced him to open up the space as much as possible, and designed separate zones with distinct uses.
The entrance to the bedroom and bathroom before works.
Savajol left the bathroom in its original space and cleaned it out, as you can see here. Since the outflow pipe was high enough and the homeowner wanted a step-free walk-in shower, the architect opted to raise the floor by 20 centimetres.
The new extractor fan was installed next to the hot-water heater in the cleaning cupboard to the right of the toilet. “The double-flow ventilator continuously measures the humidity in the living area and bathroom, extracting humid air non-stop to keep the air clean and prevent damp from accumulating further,” says Savajol.
Savajol left the bathroom in its original space and cleaned it out, as you can see here. Since the outflow pipe was high enough and the homeowner wanted a step-free walk-in shower, the architect opted to raise the floor by 20 centimetres.
The new extractor fan was installed next to the hot-water heater in the cleaning cupboard to the right of the toilet. “The double-flow ventilator continuously measures the humidity in the living area and bathroom, extracting humid air non-stop to keep the air clean and prevent damp from accumulating further,” says Savajol.
The entrance to the bedroom and bathroom after works.
The homeowner requested a large bathroom with a washing machine, walk-in shower and storage, but that was not feasible in the remaining space. So, the architect altered the floor plan to find a way to keep everything in this space.
A large multi-surface and multifunctional joinery column was the perfect space-saving solution. “As far as I am concerned, this is where the real cleverness of the project lies,” says Savajol.
The homeowner requested a large bathroom with a washing machine, walk-in shower and storage, but that was not feasible in the remaining space. So, the architect altered the floor plan to find a way to keep everything in this space.
A large multi-surface and multifunctional joinery column was the perfect space-saving solution. “As far as I am concerned, this is where the real cleverness of the project lies,” says Savajol.
The column incorporates several key functions and storage for the apartment’s various zones. On the kitchen side, the column combines a space for the washing machine on the bottom (behind the timber door) with niches above that have plugs for the mixer, toaster and coffee maker, helping to free up the worktop.
The side facing the living room houses the owner’s books. But it’s the side by the bathroom that offers a few surprises.
The side facing the living room houses the owner’s books. But it’s the side by the bathroom that offers a few surprises.
Overhead, frameless glazing with transparent silicone grouting allows natural light into the windowless bathroom. “There’s no need to turn the lights on during the day to brush your teeth, but I also worked on making sure this works the other way around. In the evening, the light in the bathroom acts like a lantern for the living area,” says Savajol.
The entrance to the bathroom after works.
The glazing is hard to see when the bathroom door is closed and the lights are off.
This effect made it possible to minimise floor space in the bathroom.
The glazing is hard to see when the bathroom door is closed and the lights are off.
This effect made it possible to minimise floor space in the bathroom.
Nothing is wanting in this small, well-thought-out bathroom. The toilet is in the space with the lowest ceiling height, under the stairs that lead to the first-floor apartment above. The space also includes a walk-in shower with a level floor and no curtain. “We slanted the floor tiles to direct water to the drain,” says Savajol.
The cut-off corner on the ceiling did not cause any problems. “It’s still 2.4 metres high despite the platform and false ceiling,” he says.
The cut-off corner on the ceiling did not cause any problems. “It’s still 2.4 metres high despite the platform and false ceiling,” he says.
There was only one possible spot for the basin: next to the entrance on the left. “It takes up the exact volume above the washing machine in the multifunctional column,” says Savajol. He even managed to fit a medicine cupboard into this Tetris-style layout.
The vanity extends between two walls and features 10-centimetre-deep shelves under the basin. The owner chose the green zellige tiles to go with the yellow in the kitchen.
The entrance to the bedroom after works.
The entire area was covered with waterproof Placo plasterboard and a layer of insulation. The resulting wall was then painted yellow for a bright and warm touch in the sleeping area.
The entire area was covered with waterproof Placo plasterboard and a layer of insulation. The resulting wall was then painted yellow for a bright and warm touch in the sleeping area.
Savajol moved the reinforced beam, which wasn’t load bearing, to redesign the existing archway. “We adjusted the partition to fit around the bed perfectly,” he says.
A 3D render of the sleeping space.
These 3D renders show the custom furniture Savajol had initially designed for the room. To manage costs, they had to abandon the plan for a bed perched on a 90-centimetre-tall storage unit. “We saved €5,000 [AU$7400] by choosing a drawer bed from Ikea for €150 [AU$220] and working backwards – in other words, fitting the bed into the partitions to make it look as if it was made to measure,” says Savajol sys.
These 3D renders show the custom furniture Savajol had initially designed for the room. To manage costs, they had to abandon the plan for a bed perched on a 90-centimetre-tall storage unit. “We saved €5,000 [AU$7400] by choosing a drawer bed from Ikea for €150 [AU$220] and working backwards – in other words, fitting the bed into the partitions to make it look as if it was made to measure,” says Savajol sys.
A 3D render of the sleeping space.
The bedroom was originally going to feature a custom-made wardrobe next to the bed, but this was replaced with an out-of-the-box system hidden by a curtain on a rod. The wardrobe now resembles a changing room, allowing the owner to hang his clothes and hide his suitcases.
The bedroom was originally going to feature a custom-made wardrobe next to the bed, but this was replaced with an out-of-the-box system hidden by a curtain on a rod. The wardrobe now resembles a changing room, allowing the owner to hang his clothes and hide his suitcases.
Drawers under the bed act as storage for folded clothes.
The courtyard after works.
“It was a huge challenge to include all of the homeowner’s specifications in the budget and encourage him to make some compromises, but it worked very well, and he even recommended me to redesign his colleague’s apartment,” says Savajol.
Savajol believes in making architecture more accessible while maintaining its decorative emphasis, and this was a challenge he took very seriously in this project.
Your turn
Which elements in this clever, small-space renovation impress you the most? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the renovation conversation.
More
Here’s your next Before & After: A Kitchen Inspired by Classic Burberry Plaid
“It was a huge challenge to include all of the homeowner’s specifications in the budget and encourage him to make some compromises, but it worked very well, and he even recommended me to redesign his colleague’s apartment,” says Savajol.
Savajol believes in making architecture more accessible while maintaining its decorative emphasis, and this was a challenge he took very seriously in this project.
Your turn
Which elements in this clever, small-space renovation impress you the most? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the renovation conversation.
More
Here’s your next Before & After: A Kitchen Inspired by Classic Burberry Plaid
Apartment at a Glance
Who lives here: A 28-year-old man
Location: Paris, France
Size: 27 square metres
Project date: Consultations took place in September and October 2021 and the renovation spanned from November 2021 to late January 2022
Architect: Pierre Savajol of PS Studio
Building and carpentry: Hellys
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