The 1,109-square-foot apartment in the 11th arrondissement of Paris held a warren of dark, dated, and awkward rooms—until architect Olivier Lekien transformed it into an open and sunny space filled with warm architectural details.

Lekien’s client, a professional in his 30s, was drawn to the apartment for its locale. “The 11th arrondissement is a lively neighborhood known for its bar and restaurant scene,” the architect says. “Rue Amelot is one of the area’s hidden gems, running from the Place de la République to the Bastille district—it’s dotted with eclectic shops, cafés, boutiques, and some of the best bistros on the Right Bank.”

Before: Kitchen and Dining Area

The building that holds the apartment is as compelling as the neighborhood. “The entry is distinguished by a sculpted stone frieze atop a monumental wood door,” Lekien says. “The building dates from 1778, and along with the Cirque d’Hiver, is one of two remaining historic monuments in the area. It was constructed as part of the late 18th-century urban planning project known as the Nouvelle Ville d’Angoulême.”

One of the building’s more impressive features is a circular street-level courtyard that was once a stable. “The form of the courtyard gives each apartment a unique character,” Lekien says.

After: Kitchen and Dining Area

When Lekien first laid eyes on the apartment’s interior, he saw that it, too, had a unique character—despite its dated qualities. “The wood floors had a very dark varnish, and outdated carpeting covered the bedroom floors,” he says. “The wall surfaces had not been cared for or repainted, and had acquired a yellow tint—but it was easy to see the residence’s potential.”

The architect was also struck by the space’s impressive system of structural wood beams, its high ceilings, the stone facade, and a curved wall created by the circular courtyard.

Before: Living Room

Lekien knew instantly that he wanted his redesign to incorporate the curved wall and the structural wood beams and columns. “The client wanted to maintain these things, too,” he says. “It was important that we reveal the unit’s historical features, but in a way that interacted seamlessly with contemporary fixtures and finishes that also appealed to the client.”

After: Living Room

The architect began his redesign by swapping the locations of the kitchen and one of the bedrooms, and removing the wall material that covered some of the structural wood beams and columns. The design move opened up the floor plan and flooded the kitchen, dining area, and living room with sunlight.

“We achieved a greater sense of space by revealing the wood framework located between the living room and the new kitchen/dining area,” Lekien says. “The visible wood structure is not perceived as a wall, which creates the impression of one large space versus separate rooms. The new, open configuration also maximizes daylight.”

After: Bedroom

The new custom kitchen runs along the curved wall, which the architect maintained. “The previous floor plan didn’t use the curved wall to its advantage or highlight its unique character,” Lekien explains. “In the new configuration, not only is the wooden framework revealed, but the interior now has a relationship to the building—the resident can appreciate the courtyard’s circular form and be reminded of the way it informs the apartment.”

Lekien also added a bathroom, a walk-in closet for one of the bedrooms, and a mezzanine for storage. He selected polished parquet flooring and finished some of the walls with plaster. The kitchen features MDF cabinetry with oak joinery, and the bathrooms are outfitted with polished concrete floors, oak shelving, and a waxed concrete vanity. “There were stone walls and a coffered ceiling that were in good shape, so we left those intact,” Lekien says. “We also restored the existing crown moldings.”

After: Bathroom

Lekien’s goal for the redesign of the apartment was to enhance its existing architectural qualities and historic features that had been previously ignored or covered up. He also sought to pay tribute to the apartment’s lively context by creating contemporary counterpoints. “The design showcases the wood structural framework, and the new custom kitchen highlights the curved wall and the courtyard just outside,” he says. “At the same time, the polished concrete, wood joinery, and light wood details are subtle but identifiable elements of the new. They inject a youthful touch, which is in line with the identity of the neighborhood.”

Related Reading:

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A 19th-Century Paris Apartment Building Gets a Refined Addition With a Rooftop Garden

This Live/Work Duplex in Paris Is Full of Kid- and Cat-Friendly Details

Project Credits:

Architecture & Interior Design: Olivier Lekien, Atelier OLK / @olivier_lekien_architecte

Builder: BGS Construction

Structural Engineer: Quartique

Appears In

Before & After: A Breakthrough Renovation Reveals a Parisian Apartment’s Good Bones