Two-Story Apartment in Parisian Attic

Living in the Marais district of Paris is considered the ultimate luxury, even if it means sacrificing some basic comforts: people in earlier times had different notions of comfort. However, this attic cannot be called inconvenient living space, even though it is located in a building from the 17th century.

The architects of the Paris-based GCG Architectes studio completely renovated the attic for a young couple leading an active lifestyle and satisfied with the opportunities that city life in the heart of Paris offers, in a neighborhood rich with museums, restaurants, bars, and trendy boutiques.

The ceilings were cleared, revealing historic wooden beams—the main decoration of the two-story apartment. Walls between small rooms on the lower level were also demolished to increase space and fill it with light.

Now, right at the entrance lies a compact kitchen where the worktop serves as both dining table—there’s enough space on the white granite countertop for both sink and stove. During breakfast and lunch, one can enjoy views of Parisian rooftops.

The architects skillfully blend old and new, materials and textures: on the second floor, where the bedroom and bathroom are located under the roof, a narrow staircase with concrete steps and glass handrails leads up. Historic beams are whitewashed and painted to match the wall color, while everyday ceramics come in various glazed colors.