The Front and Back Apartment

Charlotte Hubert, Jean-Jacques Hubert and Antoine Santiard of H²O architectes show that creativity can be adapted to small interiors.

It was a singular brief from a young Parisian advertising executive also avid collector of comic strips. He wished to live in a fresh environment, both serene and sparkling despite the fact that his existing space was dilapidated, its geometry confusing, compartmentalized and contorted. The original apartment consisted of 6 rooms squeezed into 60 sq. meters, the entry space alone was 5 sq. meters and had 7 different doors!!!!

The new design offers a continuous wide open space which expands, becomes more complex or dense depending on orientations and uses. These variances are defined by the variable geometries and the usable thickness of walls. A study on sculpting these depths allowed to create a variety of cavities, niches and alcoves. The sculpted shapes vary in size and colours to adapt to multiple functions in different locations. They can harbour either the vast collection of comic strips or a bar, a bathroom, a closet, and so on.

The front side of each shape always maintains its negative volume on the back. Behind the scenes can unveiled new uses taking place like cupboards, a desk, video, shelves, etc... In this manner, the apartment is continuously renewed. H²O architectes

H²O architectes is an office of creative architectural design also specialising in the restoration of ancient monuments. It is lead by three architects: Charlotte Hubert, Jean-Jacques Hubert and Antoine Santiard.