The building subject to our intervention was an early work by architect Jean de Mailly, designated as being of heritage interest by the Commission du Vieux Paris. Built in the 1950s following the principles of Modern architecture, this elegant white-concrete structure was situated within the interior of an urban block, discreetly shielded from the street. Based on its architectural typology, we expected to find a flat roof terrace with concrete parapets at the attic level. To our surprise, it was instead topped with a pitched roof, made of a wooden frame and metal sheeting. On this unusual roof, our clients wished to build an extension in order to add a new floor to the apartment located below.

To avoid the need for reinforcing the existing structure,theextensionhadtobeaslightweight as possible. It was therefore built in midnight- blue steel and aluminum. This colour, already present on the original building’s metalwork, was chosentoensurethebestpossibleintegrationof the new construction within De Mailly’s architectural composition. Compliance with the local urban planning regulations (PLU) only permitted a very slender addition; the extension was thus designed to fit precisely into the narrow gap between the elevator headhouse and the imposing party wall of the neighbouring building. The project also included the creation of a rear terrace as well as the full interior refurbishment of the apartment across its two levels.

PHOTOS BY Maxime Verret

PHOTOS BY Maxime Verret

PHOTOS BY Maxime Verret

PHOTOS BY Maxime Verret

PHOTOS BY Maxime Verret

PHOTOS BY Maxime Verret

Collaborator: A.Y.Mottais